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EXPLAINED: Why Vienna’s U2 metro line might take longer to reopen

A significant stretch of the busy U2 metro line has been closed for construction work since May 2021 but was expected to resume operation by autumn 2023. Now, the U2 might be closed for longer.

EXPLAINED: Why Vienna's U2 metro line might take longer to reopen
A U2 metro station in Vienna (Photo by Samuel-Elias Nadler on Unsplash)

Vienna is currently building a significant metro expansion in the city, known as the U2xU5 project. With it, two subway projects are being done at once: the U2 is getting an extension to the south and the Austrian capital will finally get its U5 line. Both will meet in the Rathaus, the City Hall station.

It’s a big project that involves several interferences in sensitive areas such as the city centre. In future, as the U2 moves south through Neubaugasse, Pilgramgasse and finally Wienerberg, the new U5 line will absorb stations Vokstheater, Museumsquartier and Karlsplatz and continue towards the northwest part of the city to Hernals.

In the meantime, these three stations are closed and no metro cars have driven through them since June 2021, as works have been carried out to transform them into U5 and connect them to U2 at Rathaus. You can check the project image here:

Vienna U2xU5 project (Screenshot Wiener Linien)

‘Particularly challenging environment’

As construction goes on, the section of the existing U2 line between the Rathaus and Karlsplatz stations will be extensively modernised. Since June 2021, the U2 has run only between Seestadt and Schottentor stations, leaving users to seek other (more time-consuming) ways to reach popular parts of the city. 

The City of Vienna announced that the stretch would reopen in the fall of 2023, with “subway operations even more reliable”. 

However, Wiener Linien, the public company responsible for transport services in Vienna, has announced it can no longer guarantee the deadline. Company representatives now say that they will “communicate in good time about the specific opening date”. 

READ ALSO: Will a 4-day week and free German lessons help Vienna’s transport network find staff?

Despite stating that they “are currently still aiming for autumn 2023”, a Wiener Linien spokesperson told The Local that the past two years had brought a “particularly challenging environment”.

“In addition to covid-related outages, the ongoing difficult global economic situation and the war in Ukraine are making material procurement more difficult. At present, we are still able to find good solutions together with our contractors in the procurement of materials”, they said via email.

In a previous email exchange with a metro user, the company had been more clear, saying they still assumed the U2 would be back on track in autumn, but “we cannot guarantee this”. 

“A project of this magnitude with five new or rebuilt stations, new line tubes and the renovation, modernisation and reconstruction of the line and stations between City Hall and Karlsplatz always present new challenges, especially in terms of time management”, they wrote.

‘It takes much longer’

The emails reviewed by The Local were first sent as a reply to an inquiry by Apolinário Passos, who recently moved into an apartment near Shottenring station and was looking forward to the downtown stretch reopening in October. 

“I moved in knowing it would reopen in Autumn, but now I’m uneasy about this information that they don’t guarantee the date,” he told The Local.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How Vienna plans to make its public transport functional again

“I don’t use it to go to work, but more to connect with that part of the city, so full of cultural events. Now, I have to take an alternative route that, unfortunately, takes much longer.

“It was just a small nuisance before, as I was counting the days for Autumn and this would be over with, but knowing that it might take longer gradually makes it more annoying,” he added.

So far, Wiener Linien can only confirm that they will “communicate in good time about the specific opening date”. 

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VIENNA

Everything you need to know about renting a car in Vienna

If you want to rent a car in Vienna, you can choose from a variety of options, including car-sharing services, rental companies, and platforms for comparing offers.

Everything you need to know about renting a car in Vienna

In the Austrian capital, you can find different types of car-sharing services. In fact, the city operates its own affordable car-sharing service with many different sustainable cars ready to be used.

If you prefer a rental company, there are alternatives to choose from with multiple pick-up locations all over the city.

Car sharing services

WienMobile Auto is a car-sharing service offered by the city of Vienna and operated by Wiener Linien, Vienna’s public transportation company. This service offers flexibility with all-inclusive packages and stations all over the city where you can pick up the cars. The service mainly offers electric and hybrid cars at an affordable price starting from €2.60 per hour.

Through the service, you can rent a car for a couple of hours, one day or maximum a weekend (Friday to Monday). You are only allowed to drive inside of the state of Vienna. 

If you plan to rent the cars more often, you can sign up for a membership and pay a monthly fee which gives you discounts on your rentals.

Gomore.at is another platform for car sharing. Here, you can rent a car directly from its owner. The platform offers convenient filters to help you find the type of car you search for. After reserving the car, the owner will confirm whether the days are available and then send you the necessary information. 

The car owners tend to be flexible, and you can rent cars for just a few hours, a couple of days, or even a week or two.

You are usually allowed to drive the cars outside of Vienna, and maybe also outside of Austria, it depends on the specific terms and conditions set by the car owner.

SHARE NOW is a car-sharing service also operating in Vienna. Using a mobile app, you can easily locate and rent cars for short periods. The service offers a wide range of cars, including compact cars and electric and hybrid cars, making it convenient for various needs. You can unlock the cars through the app, drive to their destination, and drop off the car at any designated parking spot around the city. 

Through the service, you can rent a car for just a few minutes or even up to two weeks. You are in general allowed to drive wherever you feel like, although with some reservations. To make sure that your planned trip is accepted, contact the service directly to ask.

READ ALSO: The best websites for buying a used car in Austria

Cars on a road during sunset in Austria. Photo by Michael Pointner on Unsplash

Car rental companies

Vienna’s many car rental companies offer a wide range of options. They also offer loyalty programs where frequent car renters can get special deals. 
 
 
With a car from a rental company, you can travel wherever you want and rent the cars for extended periods, even for weeks.
 
Here we list Vienna’s five most popular car rental companies:
 
Avis Car Rental offers a wide selection of different cars at multiple locations across Vienna, including the airport. The service also has a loyalty program, where you can enjoy different services and rewards for frequent rentals. Booking is made through the company’s website or mobile app.

Sixt Rental has a great variety of cars. You can book and manage your rental easily through their app, and they often have special deals. The company is flexible with how long you can rent a car, and they offer extra services such as GPS monitors if you need it.

Budget Car Rental offers affordable rental options with pick-up locations all over Vienna. Here, you can choose from a wide range of cars to fit various travel needs and preferences, from compact cars to SUVs and vans. Booking is easy through their website or mobile app.

Hertz has lots of different types of cars available to rent in Vienna, and you can find them in many places around the city. If you sign up for their loyalty program, you can get faster service and maybe even a better car without paying extra. The company is also known for being reliable.

Europcar is another company offering a great variety of different cars for rent. You can easily choose how long you want to rent them for, and the rental locations are found in various places all over Vienna, including larger train stations. If you join their loyalty program, you can get free rental days and other benefits.

Compare rental offers

If you want to compare offers from multiple car rental companies, it is a good idea to use platforms such as Expedia, Rentalcars.com, and Kayak.

Here, you can compare different offers and find the most suitable one in terms of price, location, and other factors.

The platforms also often present you with discounts and promotions.

READ NEXT: Everything you need to know about Austria’s driving exam

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