Austria rail sector sees freight growth and infrastructure expansion

Austria's rail freight sector showed growth in 2025, though analysts suggest the recovery may be deceptive. According to Statistik Austria, 96.2 million tonnes of goods were transported on the Austrian rail network, a 1.8 percent increase from 2024. Domestic transport performance rose by 2.6 percent to 21.5 billion tonne-kilometers.

Market analysis from Schienen-Control reported higher figures, citing 117.6 million net tonnes transported. However, these figures differ from Statistik Austria due to different methodologies; Schienen-Control includes non-consolidated operational data from companies, whereas Statistik Austria excludes companies operating primarily within industrial sites or ports.

In regional infrastructure developments, the expansion of the Styrian Ostbahn between Graz and the Hungarian border is entering its next phase. The project aims to electrify and modernize the 80-kilometer route by 2030. Key milestones include bridge replacements and electrification work between Graz-Ostbahnhof and Autal. Once completed, the modernization is expected to allow train speeds of up to 160 km/h, enable 20-minute intervals between Graz and Gleisdorf, and facilitate direct connections from Graz to Budapest. The shift from diesel to electric power is projected to save 5.6 million liters of diesel and 11,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.