AUSTRIA: The federal government and the Land and city of Salzburg signed a letter of intent on March 25 to extend and upgrade the Salzburger Lokalbahn railway. The agreement was signed by federal Transport Ministger Norbert Hofer, Salzburg Land Governor Wilfried Haslauer, Land Transport Minister Stefan Schnöll and Mayor Harald Preuner.

An extension of the north-south route is planned from the underground terminus at Salzburg Hbf south to Mirabellplatz. Further stages would see the route upgraded to enable higher frequencies and improve reliability.

The Land and city hope to secure federal funding from 2020. It would be entitled to money assigned for urban transport projects that contribute to decarbonisation and cross city boundaries.

‘The extension of the Salzburger Lokalbahn is a milestone in the further development of public transport in the centre of Salzburg’, said Preuner. ‘The city and the Land are working together hand in hand with the surrounding areas for future-ready solutions.’