Rail Technology The New Railjet is a Double-Decker

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To increase passenger capacity on the Westbahn, ÖBB is currently procuring 14 new KISS-200 trainsets from Stadler. The manufacturer and operator have now unveiled the first trainset of the double-decker Railjet generation to the public.

By 2030, the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) plans to invest around 6.1 billion euros (approx. 7 billion USD) in its fleet, along with 19.7 billion euros (approx. 23 billion USD) for the expansion of the rail network. These figures were announced by Peter Hanke, Austria's Minister for Innovation, Mobility, and Infrastructure, during the presentation of the new Railjet in Vienna.

On June 6, 2023, ÖBB announced the order of 14 long-distance trains of the KISS 200 type from the framework agreement for 186 double-decker trains signed in February 2022 with the Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler. On June 25, 2025, both companies presented the first train at Vienna Central Station. The new double-decker Railjet consists of six cars, two end cars, and four intermediate cars. The end cars each feature a quiet zone, while the four middle cars offer catering areas with snack and beverage vending machines, special family compartments, and areas with space for ten bicycles. The air-conditioned vehicles are equipped with Wi-Fi, power outlets with USB ports, monitors for real-time travel information, and luggage racks with Near-Field Communication (NFC) security for luggage.

Low-Floor Entry Enables Quick Boarding and Alighting

The approximately 160-meter-long (approx. 500 ft-long) trains, capable of speeds up to 200 km/h (approx. 120 mph) with strong acceleration, offer a total of 486 seats. This represents a 20 percent increase in capacity compared to the existing Siemens Railjets, which are powered by locomotives and reach speeds of 230 km/h (approx. 140 mph). The wide doors are barrier-free and enable quick passenger exchanges. They lead into low-floor entrance areas, making travel easier for passengers with reduced mobility, heavy luggage, or strollers. The trains also feature two dedicated wheelchair spaces with height-adjustable sidewall tables in the middle cars. One of the total eight toilets is designed to be barrier-free. "The new double-decker Railjets will be a highlight, offering more capacity and a comfortable travel experience for long-distance passengers," said Federal Minister Hanke. Andreas Matthä, CEO of ÖBB, added: "As ÖBB, we have been using double-decker trains in regional transport for many years and, with the new double-decker long-distance train, are setting another milestone in modern rail transport."

Additional Capacities for the West and South Railway

ÖBB plans to deploy the KISS 200 on the Westbahn between Vienna and Salzburg starting at the end of 2026 to increase passenger capacity there. Following the completion of the 27-kilometer-long (approx. 16 miles-long) Semmering Base Tunnel, scheduled for 2030, ÖBB also intends to use them on the southern route Vienna—Graz / Klagenfurt.

In addition to the double-decker trains for long-distance travel, ÖBB is also receiving trains from Stadler of the KISS 160 variant for regional traffic, operated by ÖBB under the "Cityjet" brand. Furthermore, double-decker cars and trains from other manufacturers are already in use on Austrian railways. The KISS 160 has been in operation in several European countries for some time, including Germany, where it is used by ODEG and DB Regio. The long-distance variant KISS 200 is currently employed by the Austrian company Westbahn, which operates 15 vehicles also running to Munich and Stuttgart.

DB Intercity Trains are Being Taken Over

A unique feature was the 17 KISS 200 trains of Deutsche Bahn (DB). Starting in 2019, DB purchased these from Westbahn as a temporary solution for IC services on the Dresden—Berlin—Rostock route (9 four-car sets) and the Stuttgart—Zurich route (8 six-car trains). At the time, Westbahn parted with its vehicles from the first and second series. By May 2025, DB sold the trainsets to ÖBB. ÖBB plans to deploy the six-car trains from autumn 2025 in long-distance traffic on Railjet routes with frequent stops until all newly ordered Railjet trains are delivered. The four-car trains will follow a year later. (se)

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