Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

TRANSPORT

Vienna plans metro and tram expansion

Vienna’s public transport network will be expanded over the next ten years, to meet demand from the city's growing population.

Published: 2 July 2014 12:28 CEST

Vienna plans metro and tram expansion

How Vienna's new metro map will look. Photo: Wien.gv.at

Vienna's population is forecast to reach two million inhabitants by 2030, and after much discussion and speculation the city council has committed to expanding the public transport network. The work is to be funded in part by recent price increases for public transport.

The construction of two U-Bahn extensions is expected to get under way in 2018, and open in 2023. The U2 line is to be split into two sections, with one becoming a new U5 line which will serve the north-west of the city.

U2 trains from Seestadt and Aspern in the east will be diverted at Rathaus and continue south to an interchange with the S-Bahn network at Matzleinsdorfer Platz.

The inner-city section of the U2 from Karlsplatz to Rathaus will become the first part of the new U5, which will initially continue to Frankhplatz, serving the university campus, and the old General Hospital (Altes AKH) in Spitalgasse.

The city council has started negotiations with the federal government for a further extension of the U5, running north to a new tram interchange hub at Arne Carlsson Park on Währinger Straße, where it would connect with routes 5, 33, 37, 38, 40, 41 and 42.

The metro would then turn west to meet the U6 at Michelbeuern-AKH and continue to Elterleinplatz in the Hernals district. This scheme would also see the U2 extended south from Matzleinsdorfer Platz to Gußriegelstraße and Wienerbergstraße.

The aim is that the busy U6 line will become less congested and travellers won’t need to change trains as often.

The construction of the U2 and U5 will go hand-in-hand with an expansion of the tram network. Vienna has the sixth largest tram network in the world.

Tram route O is to be extended from Praterstern in 2018 to serve urban development around the Nordwest freight terminal, which may also be served by extensions of routes 2 and 5.

Meanwhile, the city is negotiating with the ÖBB rail group for improvements to the S-Bahn railway network, seeking more frequent trains and additional stations.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.

Become a Member to leave a comment.

'Betriebskosten': What are the extra costs renters must pay in Austria?

Understanding operating costs or the specific expenses landlords or property agencies charge renters, is crucial for staying on top of your monthly payments when renting a place in Austria. These extra costs, known in German as Betriebskosten, are strictly regulated by Austria’s Tenancy Act.

Here are the operating expensses that are chargeable to tenants, according to the MieterHilfe Public Association:

Water/wastewater and costs of leak testing, plus excess consumption due to burst pipes, but does not include disproportionate additional consumption for commercial operations;
Rubbish removal (and also clearing out floors and cellars);
Clearing out abandoned property;
Pest control, with costs such as extermination and periodic inspection or removal of pigeon droppings. Installation of pigeon screens is not included;
Sweeping fees (chimney sweep);
Electricity for lighting and communal facilities, such as the stairwell, but also replacement of light bulbs, fuses or switches;
Insurance premiums for fire, liability and water damage;
Insurance premiums for glass breakage and storm damage provided that more than half of the tenants have agreed to this being passed on;
Management fee (there is a set administration fee per square metre of usable space and building construction year)
House cleaning, including wages and social payments if there is a caretaker, plus materials;
Public charges, unless there is a prohibition on passing them on – offsetting of property taxes is permitted;
Ongoing operating costs for communal facilities (lift, heating, playground, green areas, common rooms, etc.).

However, costs such as maintenance and repair work can never be charged under operating expenses.

The same goes for any ‘disproportionate additional costs or consumption due to commercial operations ‘, which refers to costs that are significantly higher than what would be considered normal for residential use or costs that are incurred due to the operation of a business within the rented property.

READ ALSO: Tenant or landlord – Who pays which costs in Austria?

Vienna’s association for tenants MieterHilfe has a calculator that uses average values to show whether the Betriebskosten you pay are comparatively low, medium or high. The association notes, however, that even low values could be considered unauthorised billing in some cases. In contrast, high values could be correct – the calculator only shows if you are paying too much compared to other properties in the city.

You can check the values HERE. You will need to know either the total usable area of the building or the usable area of the flat and the operating cost share—this information is usually shown in a payment statement you receive from property management.

What if I believe I am being unfairly charged?

If you think you are paying too much, but the charges are legal – such as for water electricity etc, then you would need to raise this issue with property management. They could take measures to save on operating costs, such as replacing old light bulbs with more energy-efficient ones or setting lights to a timer instead of a traditional light switch, for example.

There are many possible reasons for high or low values, according to the City of Vienna. For example, you may pay comparatively low for water one year because of a small number of residents, while the following year, there are leaking sanitary facilities and a burst water pipe that raises costs.

Buildings with many communal areas and green spaces often tend to have higher operating costs, especially for water, electricity, and housekeeping.

However, things are different if you think you are being unduly charged—that is, there are charges in the operating costs that do not belong there, such as unapproved construction repair.

READ ALSO: Renting in Austria – The key things foreign residents need to know

If you are unsure of the costs, there is a significant deviation from average prices for no particular reason, or you believe that you are being charged for something not legally admissible as an operating cost, you could have a free check carried out by MieterHilfe or a tenant protection organisation.

If there is a suspicion of unauthorised billing that cannot be dispelled between tenants and the property management company, this will be clarified at the arbitration board. The arbitration board is an independent body that mediates disputes between tenants and landlords. It is a point of contact before the courts in case of difficulties or legal disputes, and its decision is legally binding.

Property management companies and landlords must settle the operating costs for the previous year by 30 June at the latest and disclose them to tenants. This deadline is set to ensure that tenants have sufficient time to review their cost statements and raise any concerns before the new rental year begins. All expenses must be itemised in the statement, providing transparency and allowing tenants to see exactly what they are being charged for.

They are obliged to provide tenants with a detailed summary of the statement and the invoice documents. If the operating costs per square metre exceed €2, a more detailed review is recommended, according to the City of Vienna.

Url copied to clipboard!