Future of the Nordwestbahn: Express trains from Znojmo to Vienna planned!

Future of the Nordwestbahn: Express trains from Znojmo to Vienna planned!

A lively exchange between Austria and the Czech Republic recently took place in the town hall of Znojmo. Representatives of both countries, including Vice Mayor Jiří Kacetl, came together to discuss the developments and future plans of the Nordwestbahn. Seven people were present, while two experts from ÖBB PV AG were connected virtually. The aim was to optimize the train connection between Znojmo and Vienna.

An important point of the discussion was the possibility of an accelerated train from Znojmo to Vienna Floridsdorf, which should only take an hour to cover the route. In order to better serve commuters from Znojmo and Retz, an additional morning and evening train will be introduced with the next timetable change. Other train pairs and projects for new and high-speed lines were also on the agenda. A further meeting has been arranged for autumn 2025 in Retz to discuss the progress of the planned measures. These initiatives could noticeably stimulate cross-border traffic in this region, according to the participants.

Cross-border rail projects in Europe

The need for improved rail connections is not only evident in the Znojmo region, but is also reflected in the European Commission's plans. As can be seen on the EU website, the Commission is supporting ten pilot projects to create or improve cross-border rail transport. The aim is to create new connections between major cities within the EU, such as Munich, Berlin and Hamburg. The connection from Munich to Budapest and Rome is also on the list.

Travelers will also benefit from new night connections between Berlin and Copenhagen and between Hamburg and Gothenburg. The Commission has set itself the goal of doubling cross-border rail traffic by 2030 and even tripling it by 2050. EU Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean emphasizes the need to remove existing barriers to enable seamless transport. This commitment shows that the EU is determined to get rail transport in Europe back on track.

Challenges in European rail transport

In a broader context, the short study by the “Rail for All” association explains that there are still many challenges in European rail transport. Insufficiently harmonized traction power systems, different platform heights and the need for better accessibility are just a few issues that urgently need to be addressed. The study also criticizes the excessive focus on technical aspects, while the emphasis should be on implementing practical solutions.

The electrification of rail infrastructure plays a crucial role for international travel connections. Currently, in some countries, such as Denmark, only 27% are electrified. This shows how important it is to make progress in this area so that European scooters can use the best connections in the future.

Overall, the exchange in Znojmo shows how important close cooperation between neighboring countries is in order to promote cross-border traffic. With the new initiatives and the clear goals of the European Commission, train traffic could gain significant momentum in the coming years.

For further details on the developments of the Nordwestbahn and the European railway systems visit the links: meinkreis.at, europa.eu and matthias-gastel.de.