FPÖ criticizes 71er Bim failure: Vienna ignores the residents!

FPÖ criticizes 71er Bim failure: Vienna ignores the residents!

Tram line 71 in Vienna Simmering is currently causing quite a stir. Since construction work began on June 28th, the popular connection between Kaiserebersdorf and Enkplatz has become shorter until August 31st, which is a major nuisance, especially for residents of the closed Hauffgasse, Zippererstraße, Molitorgasse and Litfaßstraße stops. How today.at reported, there is no replacement bus for these stops. The FPÖ Vienna describes the situation as “unacceptable” and criticizes the long distance that passengers have to travel to reach alternative stops.

However, the 71E bus ends at the St. Marx stop, which means that many residents are forced to take long walks in order to be able to use their usual connections. These circumstances have led the FPÖ to demand the immediate installation of a barrier-free replacement bus. While the district council spoke out in favor of a replacement rail service, the current planning of the Wiener Linien does not allow certain stops to be served for the time being.

Criticism of the city government

There is great displeasure: The FPÖ describes the city government's ignorance as a “slap in the face” for those affected. Older and disabled passengers in particular face a major challenge, as there are no adequate alternatives for some closed stops, such as Molitorgasse and Litfaßstraße. A walk of up to 550 meters to the nearest replacement stops, such as Grasbergergasse for Litfaßstrasse, increases the concerns of residents.

As Wiener Linien explains, the construction work is part of the “Network even more” project, which will bring numerous modernizations to public transport this summer. Even if Zippererstrasse has a connection to the U3, many questions remain unanswered. Critics of the measure are calling for additional transport services to at least ease the situation somewhat. The Green Party has already submitted a request for a replacement bus for the canceled stations at the district council meeting on June 25th.

Renovations and modernizations

The construction work is not just concentrated on line 71. Infographics of the Vienna lines show that track renewals are being carried out throughout Vienna. The U4 between Schottenring and Friedensbrücke is being renovated because the tunnel infrastructure is over 120 years old. Other tram lines are also affected, and overall track work is taking place in various hotspots across the city.

It is important to Wiener Linien that the diversions are planned in such a way that they offer passengers the greatest possible benefit. “We advise our passengers to always allow enough time for their journey,” they emphasize. Ultimately, the measures should help to significantly improve the entire public transport network in the coming years.

It remains to be seen whether the city government's efforts will also prove beneficial for residents of the closed stops in Simmering. Until then, passengers have no choice but to be patient.