ICE incident near Vienna: vida calls for reappraisal and more train personnel for safe evacuations
Security needs clear structures and more skilled workers
ICE incident
After the incident of an ICE train near Vienna, in which hundreds of passengers had to wait for hours in the tunnel, the trade union vida speaks out with clear criticism and concrete demands. In addition to a comprehensive analysis, it calls for structural improvements at ÖBB as well as more qualified train personnel for emergencies.
"If an evacuation in the tunnel takes several hours, then it's not just a technical problem. There are obviously problems to be tackled that have never occurred before in an integrated group like ÖBB," emphasizes Olivia Janisch, deputy chairwoman of the railway department at vida.
Technical failures are unavoidable – but they can be prepared
Disruptions to rail operations can never be completely ruled out. This makes it all the more important that personnel, processes and emergency plans work in the event of an emergency. The trade union vida is therefore insisting on its long-standing demand for an increase in personnel on the railways:
"Our long-standing demand for sufficiently qualified specialist personnel on the train is more relevant than ever. If the exceptional case occurs, qualified train personnel are needed who can act professionally and in close coordination with the operations management," says Janisch.
"The fact that hundreds of passengers remained calm is thanks to the thoughtful actions of the train crew."
Emergency coordination needs to be improved
vida expresses particular criticism of the internal coordination between ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG and the operating railway companies. According to Janisch, the incident reveals serious weaknesses in interface coordination:
"Especially in exceptional situations, the cooperation between the network operator ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG and all participating railway companies must function smoothly. In an integrated group like ÖBB, which combines many operational areas under one roof, clear interfaces and coordinated responsibilities are essential – especially in interaction with external partners. Whether this interlocking has worked sufficiently in the specific case must now be critically questioned," said the trade unionist.
Looking ahead: Koralm Tunnel with clear standards
In view of the imminent commissioning of the Koralm Tunnel, vida is calling for binding specifications and clear structures for emergencies:
"Safety in rail transport is not a product of chance. It must be actively planned, organized and adequately staffed – anything else would be negligent," emphasizes Olivia Janisch.
vida demands:
- Binding time limits for emergency services and evacuations in the railway tunnel
- Increased staffing on trains, especially in long-distance transport
- Clear processes and responsibilities for cooperation between infrastructure managers and railway undertakings
Conclusion: Passenger safety needs staff and clear processes
From the point of view of the trade union vida, the ICE incident shows once again that safety on the railways can only be guaranteed through forward-looking planning, qualified personnel and clear coordination. Especially in the case of major projects such as the Koralm Tunnel, these standards must be enshrined in a binding manner – to protect passengers and employees.
