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Vienna commuters to face summer travel headache with U-Bahn line closure

Travellers who use the Vienna's U-Bahn will face disruption this summer with one line set to be partially closed.

Published: 12 March 2024 12:20 CET

Vienna commuters to face summer travel headache with U-Bahn line closure

A subway train on line U4 in Vienna on September 15, 2014. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

Wiener Linien is modernising its public transport system, and this summer, the green line U4 will be partially closed due to the works on the line.

In July and August, the line has to be divided and will be partially blocked between the stations Schwedenplatz and Schottenring, where the tunnel will be renovated.

It is not yet clear how many weeks the closure will go on for, but the renovations are expected to take several weeks during the two summer months.

The U4 is one of the main lines in Vienna’s subway network and opened to the public in 1976.

It was part of Vienna’s new underground system which was created in the 70s to ease the pressure on traffic clogged roads and provide efficient transport for the growing city.

READ ALSO: How to act like a local on Vienna’s U-Bahn

It currently has 20 stations and a total length of 16.5 km and offers a comfortable way to travel from Heligenstadt station in the 19th district to Hütteldorf station in the 14th district.

Today, Vienna’s subway network is an important part of the city’s public transportation system and considered to be one of the most efficient subway systems in the world. During busy hours, the trains depart with an interval of around four minutes.

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How do I lower my rent if I pay too much in Vienna?

Vienna is known for offering its residents affordable rents. However, if you live in one of the older apartments in Vienna (Altbau), you should know that there is a limit on how much rent can be charged per square meter.

Some landlords rent out their flats more expensively than they are actually allowed to. The City of Vienna’s rent calculator can help you determine if you are paying too much.

If you believe that your rent is too high, there are three different options on how to bring it down and also get the money back from the time when you paid too much.

Hire a company to take on your case

In Vienna, several companies, known as Prozessfinanzierer in German, will take on your case individually and try to reduce your rent. This could not only result in a lower rent for the future but also in you receiving a refund for the period you overpaid. It is even possible to pursue this after you leave your apartment.

However, the City of Vienna has warned against using these services. If you are successful, the companies could claim a great portion of the refunded money, ranging from 30 percent to even half. MeinBezirk also reported occasions when employees of these companies have gone door to door, pretending to be city officials to secure contracts with excessively high commission payments.

Tenant protection organisations argue, as cited in Der Standard, that the companies may prioritise their profits over the best interests of tenants, negatively impacting tenant-landlord relationships.

However, these companies typically operate on a ‘no win-no fee’ basis, which means that you do not have to pay anything if the reduction attempt is unsuccessful.

READ MORE: Gemeindebau: How do you qualify for a social housing flat in Vienna?

Get help from the Mietervereinigung

Another option is to get help from the Mietervereinigung. This is a tenants’ association that supports tenants’ rights and interests. A yearly membership costs around €69 in Vienna (it also operates in Austria’s other federal states).

Once you are a member, you can go to them for help. They will assist you with claiming back your rent if you have been overpaying, and can also help with rental problems such as mould, contracts, painting, disputes with landlords and housing standards.

The association also offer education and information to help you understand your rights and responsibilities under landlord-tenant laws. This includes workshops and seminars about topics related to housing rights and regulations.

The association is also known for publishing guides, brochures, and online resources with practical tips for dealing with common rental issues.

The Mietervereinigung offers services and guidance for its members over the phone, online or through meetings in person.

Altbau in Alsegrund, district 9 in Vienna. Photo by Melloo on Unsplash

Do it yourself

The third option you have as a tenant is to go to the arbitration board yourself.

The arbitration board is an independent entity established to help resolve conflicts between tenants and landlords outside of the court system. However, this can sometimes be complicated.

You often need certain legal expertise to be successful and the process can be complex and time consuming.

READ NEXT: How does urban gardening work in Vienna?

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