ÖBB Annual Report 2023

For a reliable future 34 important digitalisation project at the moment is Automated Resource Planning (ARP), with which we are gradually developing Group-wide production planning into integrated, rolling planning. At the same time, major subgroup-specific digitalisation projects are of course also underway: At Infrastruktur AG, this is digitalised rail operations and at Rail Cargo, for example, the digital logistics platform “MIKE”, which enables us to handle transports much more easily, transparently and efficiently. It is clear that all digitalisation measures will help us to exploit our full potential. It is evident that the climate is changing. Is climate change affecting the operations of the company? And how is ÖBB preparing for the expected developments? MATTHÄ: This is becoming apparent everywhere we look. Climate change has a massive impact on our infrastructure. We will need to take the changed climatic conditions into account today, both in the construction and maintenance of our routes. By way of example, you only need to mention track deformation caused by long periods of heat or the failure of technical systems due to heavy rainfall. In addition, there are “simple” requirements such as more powerful air conditioning systems in the trains, without which they can no longer be operated during the summer months in future. In ÖBB’s view, is enough being done to achieve the climate targets and where and in what respect could ÖBB still use support to make an even greater contribution? MATTHÄ: One of, if not the most important contribution to achieving our climate targets is the expansion of the railways, as the transport sector is still one of the biggest sources of concern when it comes to CO 2 emissions. And in this respect, we in Austria are certainly setting an example with our infrastructure expansions via the framework plans. However, to ensure that we remain at the forefront in this area in the long term, the aforementioned 2040 target network is necessary. As it is only the implementation of the projects included in the plan that will enable the final breakthrough for rail transport. The framework conditions for com- petition between rail and road are far from fair, and this is particularly true for freight transport. What is required for this and why is there still little movement in this area? MATTHÄ: Unfortunately, freight transport is actually developing in the wrong direction. The railways are losing more and more of their transport volumes in Austria and throughout Europe. The competitive situation has become even tougher due to developments in energy prices. Diesel has remained cheap – which favours the road and the truck. The price of electricity remains high, which is an additional disadvantage for rail freight transport. It was a tough year for the freight transport sector. Where do we stand and why is that so? WALDNER: Unfortunately, the decline in volumes in rail freight transport is evident in all segments: most noticeably in single wagonload transport, as well as block trains and Rolling Road (RoMo). This is a clear indication that there is no balanced, fair competition between the modes of transport. This starts with the price of diesel, which has fallen back to 2019 levels, while the price of electricity is still three times higher than before COVID. However, this is also due to the nationwide toll for rail transport, while lorry traffic in large parts of Europe is not subject to any toll at all. Not to mention the costs of accidents, traffic jams and traffic controls, which are borne entirely by taxpayers on the roads – but by the railway transport undertakings on the rails. On a positive note, however: We have recently focused successfully on multimodal transport solutions in order to be able to offer our customers an optimum mix of different modes of transport. The aforementioned digital logistics platform “MIKE” has, moreover, also enabled us to significantly simplify the handling of transports, from enquiry to invoicing. Now we need to be even more successful than before on long distances – the greatest strength of rail freight transport. Our motto for further internationalisation is therefore: “Full speed ahead!” And nearly at the end, on another topic: generational change continues its course. Having to recruit 3,500 new employees every year is no mean feat in a labour market that is not exactly easy. ANDREAS MATTHÄ AND “Climate change is having a massive impact on our infrastructure. It’s evident wherever you look.” ANDREAS MATTHÄ