The state of Salzburg and Styria have agreed on a new transport service contract for the Murtalbahn.
 
This will secure rail passenger transport in Lungau for a further ten years.
 
Because the current rail cars are getting on in years, electrification of the railway is possible.
 
Salzburg and Styria agreed on a range of services for the entire route of around 260,000 timetable kilometers annually, which is to be awarded in a ten-year contract.
 
"Our Murtalbahn connects the people and the interests of two federal states. It is of the utmost importance for school children and commuters and is the only train connection in and out of the Lungau," says chairman of the Lungau regional association Manfred Sampl.
 
The state of Salzburg will contribute €200,000 to the annual costs, the state of Styria will pay €700,000 per year.
 
In addition, the fare revenues and fare substitutes are available.
 
In addition to the question of operation, the infrastructure must also be further developed.
 
The diesel multiple units are reaching the end of their service life, so it should be examined whether electrification makes sense.
 
"We are in contact with the Styrians because we use the same equipment on the Pinzgauer local railway. Synergy effects would simply make sense," says Transport Provincial Councilor Stefan Schnöll. The decision will have to be made promptly because the new train sets have a long lead time before they are delivered."
 
Magdalena Mistlberger.