PT in Vienna

[Gazza]

I was in Vinnna for a few days last week. How does one of the worlds best rated PT networks perform? Very well.

-24H pass was 8 EUR for the entire metro area.

-Trains to the airport about every 30 mins on the regular trains and about 30 mins on the premium fare CAT trains, which run to a different terminus, a bit annoying it was set up like this.

-Lack of AC on Trams and U-Bahn sucked, but the frequency is typically 6 min, and journey times are never long.

-U-Bahn stations I found had quite daggy 80s interiors lol, all an idetical modular panel design that resembles Flagstaff station in Melbourne, but apart from 1 station, they all have lift access. No turnstiles, just a ticket validator.

-I was amazed at the patronage. Even at 10pm on a Wednesday night it was heaving  with passengers streaming in and out.

-The S-Bahn system runs at high frequency, and interlined sections meet similar high frequencies.
At least 2 staff, driver plus a passenger service agent. You would get checked on every trip.

-Vienna HBF is superb. Beautiful modern design, spotlessly clean, Several supermarkets, restaurants, full sized pharmacies, connections to multiple tram routes, buses, very easy to use, and clear passenger info.

-Local buses worked well. There was an Alpine coaster i wanted to ride at a mountain bike park on the outskirts:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fZJcHssUJZUzqGob6

Even though it was a low density string of villages 12km from the city center, the local 450 ran 4bph!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/C8P9kXVSNVQbYFJj8

-Bus connections in denser areas are even better. Eg I got off the U-Bahn at Aspernstraße and the connecting route was at 6 min frequency. What that means in terms of timed connections is that they can offer basically a 60 second connection time (the bus is arriving just as you make it down the stairs). If a passenger is infirm and needs the lift, no worry, they get the following bus 6 mins later, the standard connection window.

-Trams work well, usually every 6-10 mins depending on route, i was also suprised that some sections run underground eg Tram 18

-Wanted to take the Catamaran to Bratislava, but it was down for 3 days due to ship failure, so got a train there instead. That was much more expensive, 19 EUR each way.

-Also got a CityJet train a couple of hours west. There was a massive tunnel to get the line out of the city and under some mountains. Very quick. What i also noticed is that even regional stations have an incredibly high quality of finish...Glass, stainless steel, lifts. Again, spotless. OBB is up there with the trains in Switzerland and Finland  in terms of being high quality imo.

-Urban Planning is much better in general, you couldnt walk 5 mins without finding a Hofer (Aldi), Billa or Interspar Supermarket.
Have a look at this suburban fringe development at the end of U2
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kKXdSZPe9UuB3i8y9

10km from the city. Whole suburb is 1.3km X 1.3km.
EVERY road has bike lanes, most have a wide promenade. Big park with a lake, all buildings 6-10 stories or more. The ubahn extension is in place before the area is even finished.
Compare with an equivalent land area in SEQ and see how little our development has to offer. No facilities, a 30 min bus route.

[Gazza]

A few pics

[Gazza]

And some more

[SurfRail]

The spot at right doesn't even have a bus running through the middle of it - until 23 September.