ÖBB Reform: Draft Law for Restructuring the Federal Railways Goes into Political Coordination

During the coordination process, the draft will now be harmonized between the affected ministries and the group's leadership. ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä and the board of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG under Johann Pluy are involved in the discussions.

Observers expect that the reform will, among other things, redefine the separation of passenger transport, infrastructure, and other business areas. The role of Holding AG as the parent company is also to be more clearly defined.

In Vienna, the step into political coordination is regarded as a formal but decisive phase: only after the interministerial harmonization can the government bill be referred to parliament. Until then, changes to the draft remain possible.

Political Coordination as a Decisive Phase

The Transport Ministry stated that constructive talks are underway with ÖBB's leadership. The schedule would be strictly adhered to, it said — no specific cabinet decision date was named initially.

The Austrian Federal Railways employ several tens of thousands of staff and own one of the largest rail networks in Central Europe. Reforms at this company have direct effects on regional and long-distance rail services.

There is eager anticipation about which concrete legal adjustments will ultimately be presented. Observers are paying particular attention to questions of governance between the federal government and the group, as well as to investment and financing rules.

Outlook on Consultation and Adoption

In the coming weeks, the harmonized draft is to go into consultation. Only thereafter is adoption in the National Council realistic, meaning it is not expected before next year at the earliest.

Support for the reform course came from the ministry itself: there is confidence that the restructuring will enable better provision of rail services to the population, it said. Passengers must clearly benefit in the result.

Q: Who is Peter Hanke and what role does he play in the ÖBB reform? A: Peter Hanke, as Transport Minister, is politically responsible for the reform of the Austrian Federal Railways. He has repeatedly stressed that the outcome must be a better and more reliable service for passengers. Q: What does the step into political coordination mean? A: The draft law will now be harmonized between the affected ministries and the group's leadership. Only afterwards can the government bill be referred to the National Council. Q: Which areas of ÖBB are affected by the reform? A: The focus is on ÖBB Holding, ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, and other parts of the group such as ÖBB passenger transport. The goal is a clearer organizational structure and more efficient decision-making pathways.