Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) and Governor Johanna Mikel-Leitner (ÖVP) presented the project on Monday in Vienna.
With the timetable change on December 11, there should be a daily connection between Vienna Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof and Prague. Two courses are planned for each weekend. Mikel-Leitner spoke of a “heart project in public transport” that will open the gates to the neighboring Czech Republic, especially for the population in the Waldviertel and Weinviertel. The governor also reminded that a direct connection from Brno to Vienna Airport in Schwechat is also being planned.
The Franz-Josefs-Bahn is an important connection for more and more people to travel in a climate-friendly and comfortable way from the Waldviertel to Vienna and vice versa Mikel– Leitner. “Silva Nortica” will not only be a link for Vienna and Prague, the new service from December will also mean an additional connection in daily regular traffic. Especially for the people of the Waldviertel it means that another train from the region to Vienna and back is available.
Public transport should become the best means of transport, said Gewessler. This requires modern infrastructure, the right offer and affordability, the minister referred to the climate ticket. In addition, she announced that the Tax Amendment Act was being examined, according to which sales tax should no longer apply to cross-border train journeys. The Vienna-Prague connection on the Franz-Josefs-Bahn also has a “strong regional component”. According to Gewessler, two pairs of trains a day are planned from 2025.
