Brenner Route: No Long-Distance Rail Service Between Innsbruck and Bozen from Mid-July to Early August

The Brenner axis is considered one of the most important north-south connections in Europe. The ÖBB explained that it would use the Italian maintenance window and carry out urgently required construction work on this route in the second half of July. Specifically, frost damage in the Mühltal Tunnel is to be repaired. At the same time, maintenance of the track systems in the area between Patsch and Brenner will also be scheduled during this period. The closure will also be used for an initial work phase between the Steinach and Brenner stations.

Work on the Austrian and Italian sides

For long-distance passengers, this means two and a half weeks without a continuous train connection between Innsbruck and Bozen. Between the provincial capitals of Innsbruck and Bozen, buses will run instead as rail replacement services. A rail replacement service with buses will be set up. In South Tyrol, such a service will also be in place between Brenner and Brixen. Bicycle transport will be possible on a limited basis.

For local services, there are different arrangements depending on the phase. In the first construction phase from 18 July, all local trains will run only to or from Gries am Brenner, in order to spare commuters in particular from having to change trains. From phase two, the rail replacement service for local traffic will then run between Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof and Brenner station. In addition, a rail replacement service with buses will be set up between Steinach and Brenner so that passengers can reach Brenner station at all.

Replacement options for passengers

Freight transport is also affected by the Italian work. As far as freight transport is concerned, it has already been established for some time due to the Italian work that it will be diverted on a large scale during this period. As a result, the Brenner route will also be usable only to a limited extent for international rail freight during this period. According to the ÖBB, logistics companies had already adjusted early to the diversion.

There have been major closures on the Brenner railway line before. Most recently, the line was completely closed for two and a half weeks in August 2023 due to construction work. The ÖBB pointed out that bundling their own measures with the Italian maintenance window would help avoid further separate closures in the subsequent period. Passengers are advised to check current connections before starting their journey.

Impact on freight transport and travel planning

The ÖBB announced that passengers would be informed via notices, the ÖBB app, and the website about the changed routes and replacement connections. Seat reservations on the cancelled long-distance trains are to be rebooked onto buses or alternative connections where possible. According to the ÖBB, special assistance is planned for passengers with reduced mobility at the hub stations of Innsbruck and Brenner; details are to be announced before the start of the closure.

With the July closure, one of the busiest weeks of summer travel on the north-south axis falls within the construction phase. Commuters between Tyrol and South Tyrol must prepare for longer travel times, as must holidaymakers travelling by train to or from Italy. The ÖBB ask passengers to allow more travel time and, if necessary, switch to earlier or later connections.