VCÖ Station Test: St. Pölten and Lienz Score Best

The assessment for St. Pölten was particularly positive: according to the VCÖ, the main station impressed with good accessibility, clear wayfinding, and an attractive offering for commuters. Lienz station also scored above average in several categories and was named the best station among state capitals outside the major metropolitan areas.

The Top Performers at a Glance

Among the other top-rated stations, according to the underlying reports, are Hohenems, Feldkirch, Hofstetten-Grünau, St. Paul im Lavanttal, as well as Vienna's Westbahnhof and Mariazell station. The test thus shows a broad distribution of good examples across several federal states, from Vorarlberg via Lower Austria and Vienna to Carinthia and Tyrol.

When presenting the results, VCÖ expert Michael Schwendinger pointed out that the quality of a station cannot be measured by the building alone. How the surroundings are designed is also crucial. Schwendinger explained that appropriate spatial planning and settlement development around the stations can strengthen rail transport. „appropriate spatial planning and settlement development around stations can increase rail ridership and reduce road traffic as well as emissions and noise pollution for residents." In this way, through denser development near stations, safe cycling and walking paths, and good bus connections, more traffic can be shifted onto rail.

Spatial Planning as the Key

At the same time, the VCÖ pointed out that responsibility does not lie solely with the railway companies. Cities and municipalities are called upon to designate building land in such a way that living, working, and shopping arise within walking or cycling distance of a station. Where new settlements are planned without a connection to public transport, car traffic increases instead – with negative consequences for emissions and noise pollution affecting local residents.

According to the VCÖ, the test is also intended as an argumentation aid for municipal transport policy. Positive examples such as St. Pölten and Lienz show that investments in station infrastructure and the surrounding area pay off in the long run. Schwendinger called on the federal government, states, and municipalities to incorporate the findings from the test into their planning and to invest specifically in those locations where the greatest potential exists for a shift from car to rail.

According to the VCÖ's assessment, three factors play a key role for passengers themselves: barrier-free access, a reliable service frequency, and an attractive range of shopping and leisure options directly at the station. Where these points are met, the station is also perceived as a meeting place in the town and not just as a transit point.

Outlook and Implications for Transport Policy

In the coming months, the VCÖ intends to explore the results further in discussions with transport planners and municipal decision-makers. The goal is to make the good examples from St. Pölten and Lienz usable as models for other municipalities – especially in regions where the share of motorized individual traffic is particularly high.

In conclusion, Schwendinger emphasized that the VCÖ station test is not a one-off snapshot but is repeated regularly. Over the years, this makes it possible to track which stations maintain or improve their quality and where there is a need to catch up. This year's top marks for St. Pölten and Lienz should therefore also serve as an incentive for other cities to further develop their stations.