AUSTRIA: OBB RESULTS, INVESTMENT PLANS

Article Abstract:

The Austrian national railway company Osterreichische Bundesbahnen (OBB) is to make investments of more than Sch 85bn by the year 2003. Sch 60bn of that will go to infrastructure projects. A total of 400 new locomotives are to be purchased (mainly for freight transport), and investments are to be made in railway stations. Investments of Sch 7bn are planned in cargo transport. Automated transhipment centres are to be set up in Vienna and Linz. OBB is in talks about acquisitions in the cargo segment abroad. It holds 10% of the Austrian market for freight transport, but the company expects to benefit from the introduction of road pricing in 2002. In 1998 OBB generated a turnover of Sch 27.3bn (up from Sch 26.7bn in 1997). Sch 20.5bn of the total came from the state's coffers. The losses in passenger transport were made up for by profits in the freight sector. The passenger sector is to reach black figures in the medium term, as the number of passengers is to be increased by 20%. Altogether OBB made a profit on ordinary activities of Sch 1.16bn (up 248%) in freight and passenger transport. Balance sheet profit amounted to Sch 1.324bn (Sch 841mn).

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AUSTRIA/HUNGARY: NEW TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM TESTED

Article Abstract:

OBB is testing a new train control system on a 15-km line between Parndorf and Hungarian Hegyeshalom. The European Union would like to use the European Train Control System (ETCS) to standardise the control systems of the European railways. Currently 10 different systems are in use, which causes delays in international traffic. In the ETCS system, trains are equipped with computers and the railway line with radio transponders. These exchange information about the line and the train. If the driver fails to react (e.g. if he oversees a signal), ETCS takes over. OBB does not expect to be able to start installing ETCS before 2002. The installation in all trains might take 20 years. Altogether about 1,000 locomotives and 28,000 signals would have to be adjusted.

Product development, Facilities & equipment, European Union, Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing, Railroad Signals & Detection Eqp, Railroad signals

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Hungary: EIB money for railway modernisation

Article Abstract:

The European Investment Bank has granted Hungary 25-year loans worth EUR 190mn for the modernisation of the railway network. The national railway company MAV will modernise rail tracks and overhead lines between Budapest and Hegyeshalom on the border to Austria on the one hand and between Budapest and Lokoshaza on the border to Romania on the other.

Heavy construction, not elsewhere classified, All Other Heavy Construction, Railroads Construction, Railroad construction, European Investment Bank

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