Austria retrofits 100 double-decker carriages
Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) is modernising its double-decker carriages produced in the 1990s and 2000s. For this year, the company has scheduled to retrofit 19 cars. The entire programme includes the modernisation of 100 double-decker carriages by 2023. All of them will be branded in the ÖBB’s Cityjet livery.
The first retrofitted four-carriage trainset is running on the regional routes in the states of Upper and Lower Austria (the former Emperor Franz Joseph Railway) since the mid-December 2019. ÖBB had performed both interior and exterior improvements. However, the main focus of the retrofitting project is dedicated to the interior upgrades including new seats, toilets, energy-saving LEDs and many others. “With the new double-decker, we can provide our passengers with another top product in local transport,” noted Michael Elsner, ÖBB’s Regional Manager.
Better comfort
After the renovation, the double-deckers carriages which were produced by Austrian company SGP (now it is a part of Siemens Mobility) will get some new features in terms of better comfort for the passengers. Among other things, ÖBB installed 416 new, more comfortable seats, improved the clearances between them, equip every row of seats with the footrests and folding tables, define the multifunctional areas for transporting bicycles, luggage and prams. The modernisation project also includes the future-oriented design of the passenger compartments and the quiet zones for reading and relaxing on the second floor. Moreover, the new large monitors have been installed for information and entertainment as well as USB sockets and Wi-Fi network.
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