ÖBB Annual Report 2023

189 Group Management Report Österreichische Bundesbahnen-Holding Aktiengesellschaft Consolidated Financial Statements | Group Management Report 144 Austria has an innovative railway industry that ranks among the absolute top internationally and has enjoyed great success in exports. This is also a result of the commitment to rail in Austria and the associated financial expenditure. In this way, the tax funds made available to ÖBB for the expansion of the railway in Austria are well invested. Investments in the railway are valuable, long-term investments that boost the economy through improved infrastructure and mobility routes. In addition, the railway expansion means secure orders for the economy and as a result secure jobs. This is accompanied by enormous relief for the environment. GRI 2-23, 201-1, 203-1 Österreichische Postbus Aktiengesellschaft Postbus significantly contributes to value creation in the regions as a reliable employer at its 200 locations. Österreichische Postbus Aktiengesellschaft provides about 77% of Austria’s communities with public mobility. Outlook for 2024 In the coming year, ÖBB will continue to focus on the expansion and modernisation of regional railways as valuable feeder services for a better infrastructure in rural areas. Infrastructure facilities for freight transport will also continue to be expanded in 2024, thus creating the preconditions for a sustainable economy. These investments are considered both a climate saver and an economic driver for the national and regional economy. In the Target Network 2040 (BMK together with ÖBB and SCHIG mbH), which is currently being elaborated, the strategic course for a future-proof railway network until the year 2040 is to be set. The planned expansion steps and service increases are an essential building block and an important basis for fulfilling the goals of the Mobility Master Plan 2030. ÖBB’s forecasts for both passenger and freight transport have been included in the calculations of the Mobility Master Plan 2030. Other significant measures Economic driver, Value-adding Investments and Sustainable Financing (excerpt) A train/future partnership in German local transport | The acquisition of Go- Ahead Verkehrsgesellschaft Deutschland GmbH is intended to increase the international potential of passenger transport even further. Export Prize 2023 Bronze for Rail Cargo Group | Rail Cargo Group 2023 was awarded the Export Prize – Bronze in the Traffic and Transport category for transporting over 2 million tonnes of grain by rail from Ukraine (Ukraine-Russia war) in 2022. Rail4Regions | The aim of Rail4Regions is to better connect regional rail networks to international freight corridors and to find solutions for goods that have an affinity for transport by rail but are transported by road. Serbia in own traction | The expansion of own traction to Serbia in 2023 means that the Rail Cargo Group is now able to handle transport services in 13 countries and, for the first time, outside the European Union under its own management. The result is an optimisation of transport and networks and thus a real alternative to road transport. EU funding for rail | Austrian rail projects were able to secure funding totalling approx. EUR 400.0 million in the EU call for funding as part of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in July 2023. MR144 |