Austrian Trains - new Premium Class
 

As of this coming Sunday, OEBB launches the new “Railjet” trains with not just 2nd and 1st class but with a new “Premium” Luxury class.

A 1st class ticket plus a premium of 25 Euros buys access to this new luxury class, where train personnel deliver steaming hand towels, magazines, newspapers and snacks to the posh new seats.

By 2014 OEBB wants to purchase 70 “Railjet” trains.

This is a move back to the past—as some of us may remember, 52 years ago the three-class system disppeared.

The new trains cross the Swiss border in Buchs and go as far as Zürich. Will the Swiss follow suit? “Not likely”, says SBB spokesman Roland Binz. The Swiss railways have enough trouble offering a seat to all ticket holders, such a new luxury class would go at the expense of overall seating capacity. Already a great many regular passholders find no seats in 2nd class and sneak into 1st class during peak hours.

One measure to alleviate the peak hour congestion is currently under discussion and may be implemented later in 2009 in Switzerland: Charging more for travel during, say, 6AM and 9AM and again in the evening, to encourage anyone who has no compelling reason to travel during peak hours to plan their movements for other, cheaper travel times.

Thanks Llama !

You certainly are a welcome addition to this forum and very knowledgable. I have been hanging here for 12 years now and am curious if you are new to Fodors or have we known you under another name.

Thanks Bob, I was here for a bit some years ago but I can't remember under what name let alone password (several computers ago...).

So, tell us more. Do you live in Italy? Are you a travel agent? How are you so well versed?

The railjet is not news to those living in Austria or nearby.
Renovations on the tracks and support systems have occurred for the past several years . easy to see them as one traveled on these lines.
Numerous press releases have been circulated for some months, including info on the austrain rail website.
Part of the PR for this service will include some tours of the trains at specific times between trips.

www.railjet.at

Thanks Dolly - now another train i suspect that requires reservations and and a supplement for railpass holders.