Vienna U-Bahn
Encyclopedia
The Vienna U-Bahn is a rapid transit
(metro) system consisting of five lines. It is the backbone of one of the best performing public transport systems worldwide according to UITP (International Association of Public Transport) in June 2009. More than 1.3 million passengers use the Vienna U-Bahn every day. The network is undergoing expansion and rolling stock renewal. Since 1969, 200 million euros have been invested annually into the extension of the Vienna U-Bahn.
The first section of the modern U-Bahn opened on 8 May 1976, but two of the lines extended and later designated as U-Bahn (U4, U6) date back to the Stadtbahn
("city railway") system, which first opened in 1898. Parts of both the U2 and U6 originate from premetro
tunnels built to accommodate earlier tram lines. Only the U1 and U3 were built wholly as new subway lines.
Lines are designated merely by a number and the prefix "U" (for U-Bahn) and identified on station signage and related literature by a colour. There are currently five lines; U1, U2, U3, U4 and U6. There have been numerous suggestions for a line U5 but all these projects have been shelved. Stations are often named after streets, public spaces or districts, and in some special cases after prominent buildings at or near the station, although the official policy of the Wiener Linien
states that they prefer not to name stations after buildings.
Ticketing for the network is integrated under the Wiener Linien umbrella brand with all means of public transport in Vienna, including tram
s and bus
es. Local tickets are valid on S-Bahn
suburban rail services and other train services but these are operated by the state railway operator, ÖBB. Tickets are not valid on bus services operated by Vienna Airport Lines and the City Airport Train
express train.
The first system to be constructed was a 4-line Stadtbahn railway network (originally projected as 3 main and 3 local lines) using steam trains. Ground was broken in 1892, and the system was opened in stages between 11 May 1898 and 6 August 1901. At Hütteldorf
, the Stadtbahn connected to railway service to the west, and at Heiligenstadt
, to railway service on the Franz Josef Line, which then ran eastwards within the Austro-Hungarian Empire to Cheb
. Some of the Jugendstil stations for this system designed by Otto Wagner
are still in use. However, the Stadtbahn proved inadequate for mass transport, less successful than the tramway. Starting in 1910, plans were considered for an underground system, but were interrupted by the First World War, which also necessitated closing the Stadtbahn to civilian use. After the war, the economic situation of a smaller and poorer country ruled out continuing with the plan. However, starting on 26 May 1924 the Stadtbahn was electrified, something that many had called for before the war, and from autumn 1925 it was integrated with the tramway rather than the railways. The frequency of trains tripled. Plans for a U-Bahn dating to 1912–14 were revived and discussions took place in 1929, but the Great Depression
again necessitated abandoning planning.
Both in 1937 and after the Anschluß, when Vienna became the largest city by surface area in the Third Reich, ambitious plans for a U-Bahn, as well as a new central railway station, were discussed. Test tunnelling took place, but these plans, too, had to be shelved when the Second World War broke out.
Severe war damage caused the Stadtbahn system to be suspended in some areas until 27 May 1945. The redevelopment of stations took until the 1950s. Meanwhile, Vienna was occupied by the four allied powers until 1955, and in 1946 had returned three quarters of the pre-war expanded Greater Vienna to the state of Lower Austria
. Two proposals for U-Bahn systems were nonetheless presented, in 1953 and 1954. Increasing car traffic lead to cutbacks in the S-Bahn network that were partially made up for by buses. There was also an unfortunate politicisation of the U-Bahn issue: in the 1954 and 1959 city council elections, the conservative Austrian People's Party
championed construction of a U-Bahn, but the more powerful Social Democratic Party of Austria
campaigned for putting housing first. The city council repeatedly rejected the U-Bahn idea in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Extensions of the Stadtbahn system had always been discussed as an alternative to building a new U-Bahn. But it was not until the late 1960s, when the Stadtbahn and the Schnellbahn were no longer able to adequately serve the ever-increasing public traffic, that the decision to build a new network was taken. On 26 January 1968, the city council voted to begin construction of a 30 km basic network (Grundnetz). Construction began on 3 November 1969 on and under Karlsplatz
, where three lines of the basic network were to meet, and where central control of the U-Bahn was initially located. Test operation began on 8 May 1976 on line U4, and the first newly constructed (underground) stretch of line opened on 25 February 1978 (five stations on U1 between Reumannplatz and Karlsplatz).
The construction of the Vienna U-Bahn network can be divided into several stages:
Construction began on 3 November 1969. On 25 February 1978, the first Vienna U-Bahn route between Karlsplatz and Reumannplatz, the U1, went into operation. With a total of twelve partial commissionings, the Vienna U-Bahn basic network was completed on 3 September 1982.
By mid-1990, the U6 had been extended from Siebenhirten to Floridsdorf
and the U3 from Simmering
to Ottakring
constructed.
U2 extension from Schottenring
On 12 June 2003, the groundbreaking ceremony took place outside the Stadion (stadium). Due to the 2008 European Football Championships in Austria, there was enormous pressure to complete the construction on time. The Wiener Linien met the deadline, and on 10 May 2008 the U2 extension to the stadium was opened.
U2 extension from Stadium to Aspern
On 2 October 2010 a further six stations were opened taking the U2 across the Danube
via Donaustadtbrücke to Aspernstrasse in the twenty-second district (Donaustadt
). An additional 4.5km extension to Aspern is expected to be completed in 2013.
U-Bahn services run between 5 am and around 1 am at intervals between two and five minutes during the day and up to eight after 8 pm. Since 4 September 2010, there has been a 24-hour service operating at a 15 minute interval on Fridays, Saturdays and on Sundays if followed by a public holiday. The 24-hour U-Bahn is supplemented on these nights by Vienna NightLine bus services.
of Vienna's Schnellverbindungen (Fast Connections), consisting of underground lines, S-Bahn lines, the Lokalbahn Wien-Baden and the City Airport Train (CAT) is available in PDF
format: www.wienerlinien.at
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
(metro) system consisting of five lines. It is the backbone of one of the best performing public transport systems worldwide according to UITP (International Association of Public Transport) in June 2009. More than 1.3 million passengers use the Vienna U-Bahn every day. The network is undergoing expansion and rolling stock renewal. Since 1969, 200 million euros have been invested annually into the extension of the Vienna U-Bahn.
The first section of the modern U-Bahn opened on 8 May 1976, but two of the lines extended and later designated as U-Bahn (U4, U6) date back to the Stadtbahn
Wiener Stadtbahn
The Wiener Stadtbahn was a public transportation system operated under this name from 1898 to 1989. Today, the Vienna U-Bahn lines U4 and U6 and the Vienna S-Bahn run on its former lines....
("city railway") system, which first opened in 1898. Parts of both the U2 and U6 originate from premetro
Premetro
A premetro is a tramway or light railway which includes segments built to rapid transit standards, usually as part of a process of conversion to a metro railway, mainly by the construction of tunnels in the central city area...
tunnels built to accommodate earlier tram lines. Only the U1 and U3 were built wholly as new subway lines.
Lines are designated merely by a number and the prefix "U" (for U-Bahn) and identified on station signage and related literature by a colour. There are currently five lines; U1, U2, U3, U4 and U6. There have been numerous suggestions for a line U5 but all these projects have been shelved. Stations are often named after streets, public spaces or districts, and in some special cases after prominent buildings at or near the station, although the official policy of the Wiener Linien
Wiener Linien
Wiener Linien are the company running the largest part of the public transit network in the city of Vienna, Austria. They are part of the city corporation Wiener Stadtwerke Holding AG.- Governing structure and statistics :...
states that they prefer not to name stations after buildings.
Ticketing for the network is integrated under the Wiener Linien umbrella brand with all means of public transport in Vienna, including tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
s and bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
es. Local tickets are valid on S-Bahn
Vienna S-Bahn
The Vienna S-Bahn is a suburban metro railway network in Vienna, Austria. As opposed to the city-run urban metro network, the Vienna U-Bahn, it extends beyond the borders of the city, is operated by the ÖBB , and consists of many branch lines...
suburban rail services and other train services but these are operated by the state railway operator, ÖBB. Tickets are not valid on bus services operated by Vienna Airport Lines and the City Airport Train
City Airport Train
The City Airport Train connects the Vienna International Airport directly to the Wien Mitte railway station close to the Vienna city center daily from 5:38 am to 11:35 pm.- Basic facts :...
express train.
History
Compared to other underground railways worldwide, the Vienna U-Bahn is young. The question of whether to build a Vienna U-Bahn was the subject of heated debate for over one hundred years. From 1844 to the 1960s, numerous mass train transport plans were discussed, ignored or simply rejected.Hütteldorf
Hütteldorf is a part of Vienna's 14th district, Penzing. It is located in the west of Vienna, but roughly in the geographical center of the district, stretching roughly from Deutschordenstraße in the east to Wolf in der Au in the west, where Hütteldorf borders Hadersdorf-Weidlingau.Hütteldorf is...
, the Stadtbahn connected to railway service to the west, and at Heiligenstadt
Heiligenstadt
Heiligenstadt may refer to several places:*Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Thuringia, Germany*Heiligenstadt i.OFr. , Bamberg , Bavaria, Germany*Heiligenstadt, Vienna, Austria*Heiligenstadt, part of Neuhaus in Kärnten, Carinthia, Austria...
, to railway service on the Franz Josef Line, which then ran eastwards within the Austro-Hungarian Empire to Cheb
Cheb
Cheb is a city in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic, with about 33,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the river Ohře , at the foot of one of the spurs of the Smrčiny and near the border with Germany...
. Some of the Jugendstil stations for this system designed by Otto Wagner
Otto Wagner
Otto Koloman Wagner was an Austrian architect and urban planner, known for his lasting impact on the appearance of his home town Vienna, to which he contributed many landmarks.-Life:...
are still in use. However, the Stadtbahn proved inadequate for mass transport, less successful than the tramway. Starting in 1910, plans were considered for an underground system, but were interrupted by the First World War, which also necessitated closing the Stadtbahn to civilian use. After the war, the economic situation of a smaller and poorer country ruled out continuing with the plan. However, starting on 26 May 1924 the Stadtbahn was electrified, something that many had called for before the war, and from autumn 1925 it was integrated with the tramway rather than the railways. The frequency of trains tripled. Plans for a U-Bahn dating to 1912–14 were revived and discussions took place in 1929, but the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
again necessitated abandoning planning.
Both in 1937 and after the Anschluß, when Vienna became the largest city by surface area in the Third Reich, ambitious plans for a U-Bahn, as well as a new central railway station, were discussed. Test tunnelling took place, but these plans, too, had to be shelved when the Second World War broke out.
Severe war damage caused the Stadtbahn system to be suspended in some areas until 27 May 1945. The redevelopment of stations took until the 1950s. Meanwhile, Vienna was occupied by the four allied powers until 1955, and in 1946 had returned three quarters of the pre-war expanded Greater Vienna to the state of Lower Austria
Lower Austria
Lower Austria is the northeasternmost state of the nine states in Austria. The capital of Lower Austria since 1986 is Sankt Pölten, the most recently designated capital town in Austria. The capital of Lower Austria had formerly been Vienna, even though Vienna is not officially part of Lower Austria...
. Two proposals for U-Bahn systems were nonetheless presented, in 1953 and 1954. Increasing car traffic lead to cutbacks in the S-Bahn network that were partially made up for by buses. There was also an unfortunate politicisation of the U-Bahn issue: in the 1954 and 1959 city council elections, the conservative Austrian People's Party
Austrian People's Party
The Austrian People's Party is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Austria. A successor to the Christian Social Party of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it is similar to the Christian Democratic Union of Germany in terms of ideology...
championed construction of a U-Bahn, but the more powerful Social Democratic Party of Austria
Social Democratic Party of Austria
The Social Democratic Party of Austria is one of the oldest political parties in Austria. The SPÖ is one of the two major parties in Austria, and has ties to trade unions and the Austrian Chamber of Labour. The SPÖ is among the few mainstream European social-democratic parties that have preserved...
campaigned for putting housing first. The city council repeatedly rejected the U-Bahn idea in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Extensions of the Stadtbahn system had always been discussed as an alternative to building a new U-Bahn. But it was not until the late 1960s, when the Stadtbahn and the Schnellbahn were no longer able to adequately serve the ever-increasing public traffic, that the decision to build a new network was taken. On 26 January 1968, the city council voted to begin construction of a 30 km basic network (Grundnetz). Construction began on 3 November 1969 on and under Karlsplatz
Karlsplatz
Karlsplatz is a town square on the border of the first and fourth districts of Vienna. It is one of the most frequented and best connected transportation hubs in Vienna. The Karlskirche is located here....
, where three lines of the basic network were to meet, and where central control of the U-Bahn was initially located. Test operation began on 8 May 1976 on line U4, and the first newly constructed (underground) stretch of line opened on 25 February 1978 (five stations on U1 between Reumannplatz and Karlsplatz).
The construction of the Vienna U-Bahn network can be divided into several stages:
Initial construction (1969–1982): Basic network (Grundnetz)
First, the basic network (Grundnetz) was chosen from the various network designs. During 1967, plans for the U2 were radically reduced and the U3 completely deleted, and the approved basic network was described as a 'closer basic network'. This closer basic network, consisting of the U1, U2 and U4 lines, included:- New route between Reumannplatz and Praterstern
- U2 between KarlsplatzKarlsplatzKarlsplatz is a town square on the border of the first and fourth districts of Vienna. It is one of the most frequented and best connected transportation hubs in Vienna. The Karlskirche is located here....
and SchottenringSchottenringThe Schottenring was, after Nürburgring, Schleizer Dreieck, Solituderennen and AVUS, one of Germany's oldest race tracks, inaugurated on 22 July 1925.It is situated near Schotten in the Vogelsbergkreis of Hesse, between Fulda and Gießen.... - U4 between Hütteldorf and Heiligenstadt, consisting almost entirely of modification and adaptation of the existing Stadtbahn line
Construction began on 3 November 1969. On 25 February 1978, the first Vienna U-Bahn route between Karlsplatz and Reumannplatz, the U1, went into operation. With a total of twelve partial commissionings, the Vienna U-Bahn basic network was completed on 3 September 1982.
2nd expansion phase (1982–2000): Lines U3 and U6
The second phase involved the expansion of the U3 and U6 lines (about 61 km, (37.9 mi)). The groundbreaking ceremony for this phase took place on 7 September 1983 on Pottendsdorfer Street at the Philadelphia Bridge and after 6 years, the central section of the U6 between Philadelphia Bridge and Heligenstadt/Friedensbrücke went into operation.By mid-1990, the U6 had been extended from Siebenhirten to Floridsdorf
Floridsdorf
Floridsdorf is the 21st district of Vienna, Austria .Floridsdorf is located in the northern part of Vienna.The District Office and the centre of Floridsdorf are located round Am Spitz, at the junction of Prager Straße and Brünner Straße .Since 2004, Floridsdorf has had its own tower: the...
and the U3 from Simmering
Simmering
Simmering is a food preparation technique in which foods are cooked in hot liquids kept at or just below the boiling point of water , but higher than poaching temperature...
to Ottakring
Ottakring
Ottakring is the 16th District in the city of Vienna, Austria . It is located west of the central districts, north of Penzing and south of Hernals. Ottakring has some heavily populated urban areas with many residential buildings...
constructed.
3rd expansion phase (2001–2010): The first extensions of U1 and U2
In 1996, a new U-Bahn contract, known as the "30 billion package", was settled. For the first time in Europe, a U-Bahn project had to undergo a costly and lengthy environmental impact assessment, as the U2 extension showed a length of more than 10 km (6.2 mi). This expansion phase involved:U1 extension to Leopoldau
On 19 October 2001, the groundbreaking ceremony for the extension of U1 was held, for which the two districts had been waiting for 20 years. After five years of construction, the 4.6 km (2.9 mi) long extension of the U1 was opened on 2 September 2006.U2 extension from SchottenringSchottenringThe Schottenring was, after Nürburgring, Schleizer Dreieck, Solituderennen and AVUS, one of Germany's oldest race tracks, inaugurated on 22 July 1925.It is situated near Schotten in the Vogelsbergkreis of Hesse, between Fulda and Gießen....
to Stadium
On 12 June 2003, the groundbreaking ceremony took place outside the Stadion (stadium). Due to the 2008 European Football Championships in Austria, there was enormous pressure to complete the construction on time. The Wiener Linien met the deadline, and on 10 May 2008 the U2 extension to the stadium was opened.U2 extension from Stadium to AspernAspernAspern is part of Donaustadt, the 22nd district of Vienna.In 1904, the formerly independent village was incorporated into Vienna as part of the 21st district, Floridsdorf. Only in 1946 did it become part of the newly created 22nd district, Donaustadt. The area is known because of the Battle of...
On 2 October 2010 a further six stations were opened taking the U2 across the DanubeDanube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
via Donaustadtbrücke to Aspernstrasse in the twenty-second district (Donaustadt
Donaustadt
Donaustadt is the 22nd district of Vienna, Austria .Donaustadt is the eastern fourth of Vienna.- Geography :The Donaustadt district is in the northeast part of Vienna and is the largest of the districts in area, occupying about one-quarter of the Vienna city area, 102.24 km².It borders the...
). An additional 4.5km extension to Aspern is expected to be completed in 2013.
Timeline
| Date | Opening | Closure |
|---|---|---|
| 1976-05-08 | Heiligenstadt – Friedensbrücke | |
| 1978-02-25 | Reumannplatz – Karlsplatz | |
| 1978-04-03 | Friedensbrücke – Schottenring | |
| 1978-08-15 | Schottenring – Karlsplatz (U4) | |
| 1978-11-18 | Karlsplatz – Stephansplatz | |
| 1979-11-24 | Stephansplatz – Nestroyplatz | |
| 1980-08-30 | Karlsplatz – Schottenring (U2) | |
| 1980-10-26 | Karlsplatz – Meidling | |
| 1981-02-28 | Nestroyplatz – Praterstern | |
| 1981-08-31 | Meidling – Hietzing | |
| 1981-12-20 | Hietzing – Hütteldorf | |
| 1982-09-03 | Praterstern – Kagran | |
| 1989-10-07 | Philadelphiabrücke – Heiligenstadt | |
| 1991-04-06 | Erdberg – Volkstheater | |
| 1993-09-04 | Volkstheater – Westbahnhof | |
| 1994-09-03 | Westbahnhof – Johnstraße | |
| 1995-04-15 | Philadelphiabrücke – Siebenhirten | |
| 1996-05-04 | Nussdorfer Straße – Floridsdorf | Nussdorfer Straße – Heiligenstadt |
| 1998-12-05 | Johnstraße – Ottakring | |
| 2000-12-02 | Erdberg – Simmering | |
| 2006-09-02 | Kagran – Leopoldau | |
| 2008-05-10 | Schottenring – Stadion | |
| 2010-10-02 | Stadion – Aspernstraße |
U-Bahn network
There are currently five U-Bahn lines (U1-U4 and U6) and 101 stations, including nine interchanges. The network's total length is 75 km (46.6 mi) with 101 stations. Further extensions of the Vienna U-Bahn have been decided until 2019. Upon completion, there will be a total network of 90 km (55.9 mi) and 116 stations. Some plans have been prepared to deal with the period beyond, although remain unfunded.U-Bahn services run between 5 am and around 1 am at intervals between two and five minutes during the day and up to eight after 8 pm. Since 4 September 2010, there has been a 24-hour service operating at a 15 minute interval on Fridays, Saturdays and on Sundays if followed by a public holiday. The 24-hour U-Bahn is supplemented on these nights by Vienna NightLine bus services.
| Line | Colour | Route | Length | Stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U1 | red | Reumannplatz - Leopoldau | 14.6 km (9.1 mi) | 19 |
| U2 | purple | Karlsplatz - Aspernstrasse | 12.5 km (7.8 mi) | 17 |
| U3 | orange | Ottakring - Simmering | 13.5 km (8.4 mi) | 21 |
| U4 | green | Hütteldorf - Heiligenstadt | 16.5 km (10.3 mi) | 20 |
| U6 | brown | Siebenhirten - Floridsdorf | 17.4 km (10.8 mi) | 24 |
Stations
Line
- Reumannplatz (25 February 1978)
- First new station opened
- Keplerplatz (25 February 1978)
- Südtiroler Platz (25 February 1978)
- Connection underground to S-Bahn and trams
- Taubstummengasse (25 February 1978)
- Karlsplatz (25 February 1978)
- Connections to U2, U4, and local trains
- U4 station on the site of 1898 Stadtbahn station and incorporating parts of it
- Complex design because River Wien flows underground between the U2 and U4 platforms
- Has more escalators than any other station in system
- StephansplatzStephansplatz (Vienna U-Bahn)Stephansplatz is an important destination and interchange station in the Vienna U-Bahn system. It is located under the Stephansplatz and is served by the and lines.Stephansplatz station opened on 18 November 1978...
(18 November 1978)- Connection to U3
- Vergilius Chapel is within the station
- Schwedenplatz (24 November 1979)
- Connection to U4
- Formerly Stadtbahn station (1901)
- Remnants of the ancient city walls visible
- Nestroyplatz (24 November 1979)
- Praterstern (28 February 1981)
- Connections to U2, mainline and S-Bahn
- Originally built with branch-off of Line U1A in view; U2 was built instead
- Vorgartenstraße (3 September 1982)
- Connection to DonaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftDonaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftThe Erste Donau-Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft, or Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft was a shipping company founded in 1829 by the Austrian government for transporting passengers and cargo on the Danube.In 1880, the DDSG was the world's largest river shipping company with more than 200 steamboat...
- Connection to Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft
- Donauinsel (3 September 1982)
- Station is on lower level of ReichsbrückeReichsbrückeThe Reichsbrücke is Vienna's most famous bridge, linking Mexicoplatz in Leopoldstadt with the Donauinsel in Donaustadt on the other side of the Danube. It lies on an important axis leading from the city centre at Stephansplatz, through Praterstern, and on to Kagran in the north-east...
- Station is on lower level of Reichsbrücke
- Kaisermühlen / Vienna International Centre (3 September 1982)
- Alte Donau (3 September 1982)
- Kagran (3 December 1982)
- Name changed from Zentrum Kagran ("Kagran Centre") to avoid confusion
- Kagraner Platz (2 September 2006)
- Rennbahnweg (2 September 2006)
- Aderklaaer Straße (2 September 2006)
- Großfeldsiedlung (2 September 2006)
- Leopoldau (2 September 2006)
- Connections to mainline and S-Bahn.
Line
- Aspernstrasse (2 October 2010)
- Donauspital (2 October 2010)
- Hardegggasse (2 October 2010)
- Stadlau (2 October 2010)
- Connection to S-Bahn
- Donaustadtbrücke (2 October 2010)
- Donaumarina (2 October 2010)
- Stadion (10 May 2008)
- 3 tracks, 2 symmetrical inside platforms
- Krieau (10 May 2008)
- Until 2006, station was to be named Trabrennstraße
- Messe-Prater (10 May 2008)
- Praterstern (10 May 2008 - U1 station 1981)
- Connections to U1, main line and S-Bahn
- Taborstraße (10 May 2008)
- Schottenring (10 May 2008; 1980 terminus, with different platform layout)
- Connection to U4; that part of station converted from 1901 Stadtbahn station
- Station is located under the DonaukanalDonaukanalThe Donaukanal is a former arm of the river Danube, now regulated as a water channel , within the city of Vienna, Austria...
- Schottentor (30 August 1980)
- Rathaus (30 August 1980)
- Station opened 1965 as Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz on the U-Straßenbahn underground tramway
- Volkstheater (30 August 1980)
- Connection to U3
- Station opened 1965 as Burggasse on the U-Straßenbahn underground tramway
- Museumsquartier (30 August 1980)
- Station features public art
- Opened 1965 as Mariahilfer Straße on the U-Straßenbahn underground tramway
- Karlsplatz (30 August 1980; U1 25 February 1978)
- Connections to U1, U4, and local trains
- U4 station on the site of 1898 Stadtbahn station and incorporating parts of it
- Complex design because River Wien flows underground between the U2 and U4 platforms
- Has more escalators than any other station in system.
Line
- Ottakring (5 December 1998)
- Connection to S-bahn
- Kendlerstraße (5 December 1998)
- Hütteldorfer Straße (5 December 1998)
- Johnstraße (3 September 1994)
- Schweglerstraße (3 September 1994)
- Station features public art
- Westbahnhof (4 September 1993)
- Connections to U6, mainline and S-bahn
- Public art in parts of passageways
- U6 station, opened 1989, is in 1898 Stadtbahn station
- Zieglergasse (4 September 1993)
- Stacked platforms: trains to Simmering above trains to Ottakring
- Neubaugasse (4 September 1993)
- Stacked platforms: trains to Simmering above trains to Ottakring
- Volkstheater (6 April 1991; U2 since 1980)
- Connection to U2
- Station features public art
- Herrengasse (6 April 1991)
- StephansplatzStephansplatz (Vienna U-Bahn)Stephansplatz is an important destination and interchange station in the Vienna U-Bahn system. It is located under the Stephansplatz and is served by the and lines.Stephansplatz station opened on 18 November 1978...
(6 April 1991; U1 1978)- Connection to U1
- Stacked platforms: trains to Simmering above trains to Ottakring
- Stubentor (6 April 1991)
- Stacked platforms: trains to Simmering above trains to Ottakring
- Remains of ancient city walls
- Landstraße (6 April 1991)
- Connections to U4, mainline, S-Bahn and City Airport TrainCity Airport TrainThe City Airport Train connects the Vienna International Airport directly to the Wien Mitte railway station close to the Vienna city center daily from 5:38 am to 11:35 pm.- Basic facts :...
- U4 station is in 1899 Stadtbahn station
- Connections to U4, mainline, S-Bahn and City Airport Train
- Rochusgasse (6 April 1991)
- Kardinal-Nagl-Platz (6 April 1991)
- Schlachthausgasse (6 April 1991)
- Erdberg (6 April 1991)
- Central control and maintenance facility; track branch to U2
- Gasometer (2 December 2000)
- Zippererstraße (2 December 2000)
- Enkplatz (2 December 2000)
- Simmering (2 December 2000)
- Connections to mainline and S-Bahn.
Line
- Hütteldorf (20 December 1981)
- Connections to mainline and S-Bahn
- Was the Hütteldorf-Hacking station on the Stadtbahn
- Otto Wagner’s design partially retained
- Ober St. Veit (20 December 1981)
- Otto Wagner’s design partially retained
- Unter St. Veit (20 December 1981)
- Otto Wagner’s design partially retained
- Braunschweiggasse (20 December 1981)
- Otto Wagner’s design partially retained
- Hietzing (31 August 1981)
- Otto Wagner’s Hofpavillon, 1899 Stadtbahn station for the use of the Imperial family, is at one end of the inward-bound platform
- Schönbrunn (31 August 1981)
- Otto Wagner’s design retained
- Meidling Hauptstraße (26 October 1980)
- Extra-wide platform was shared from 1980 to 1985 by terminus of Stadtbahn ring-line
- Längenfeldgasse (7 October 1989)
- Connection to U6; station was originally not a U4 station
- Margaretengürtel (26 October 1980)
- Otto Wagner’s design partially retained
- PilgramgassePilgramgasse (Vienna U-Bahn)Pilgramgasse is a station on the Vienna U-Bahn line . It is located in Margareten between Ramperstorffergasse and the eponymous street, which is named after Franz Anton Pilgram , an Austrian Baroque architect...
(26 October 1980)- Otto Wagner’s design partially retained
- Kettenbrückengasse (26 October 1980)
- Otto Wagner’s design partially retained
- Karlsplatz (15 August 1978)
- Connections to U1, U2, and local trains
- Station retains parts of 1898 Stadtbahn station
- Complex design because River Wien flows underground between the U2 and U4 platforms
- Has more escalators than any other station in system
- Stadtpark (15 August 1978)
- Station in open cut within the park; landmark building by Otto Wagner, opened 30 July 1899, retained
- Landstraße (15 August 1978)
- Connections to U3, mainline, S-Bahn and City Airport Train
- 1899 Stadtbahn station retained
- Tabak (tobacconistTobacconistA tobacconist is an expert dealer in tobacco in various forms and the related accoutrements .Such accoutrements include pipes, lighters, matches, pipe cleaners, pipe tampers, ashtrays, humidification devices, hygrometers, humidors, cigar cutters, and more. Books and magazines, especially ones...
) on platform
- Schwedenplatz (15 August 1978)
- Connection to U1
- Schottenring (3 April 1978)
- Connection to U2; from 1980 to 2008 rail connection
- Rossauer Lände (3 April 1978)
- Otto Wagner’s design partially retained
- Friedensbrücke (8 May 1976)
- Otto Wagner’s design partially retained; until 1991 terminus of Stadtbahn/U6
- Spittelau (7 October 1995)
- Connections to U6, mainline and S-Bahn; no previous Stadtbahn or U-Bahn service
- Heiligenstadt (8 May 1976)
- Connections to mainline and S-Bahn
- Until 1989 was terminus of Stadtbahn ring-line
- Otto Wagner’s design partially retained
- Until 1996 terminus of U6.
Line
- Siebenhirten (15 April 1995)
- Perfektastraße (15 April 1995)
- Erlaaer Straße (15 April 1995)
- Alterlaa (15 April 1995)
- Am Schöpfwerk (15 April 1995)
- Tscherttegasse (15 April 1995)
- Philadelphiabrücke (7 October 1989)
- Connections to mainline, S-Bahn and local trains
- Niederhofstraße (7 October 1989)
- Längenfeldgasse (7 October 1989)
- Connection to U4
- Gumpendorfer Straße (7 October 1989)
- Historic 1898 Otto Wagner station retained
- Westbahnhof (7 October 1989)
- Connections to U3, mainline and S-bahn
- Public art in parts of passageways
- 1898 Stadtbahn station retained
- Burggasse - Stadthalle (7 October 1989)
- Platforms in open cut, now under Central Library
- Otto Wagner’s design partially retained
- Thaliastraße (7 October 1989)
- Opened 1980 as Stadtbahn station
- Josefstädter Straße (7 October 1989)
- Historic 1898 Otto Wagner station retained
- Alser Straße (7 October 1989)
- Historic Otto Wagner station retained
- Michelbeuern (7 October 1989)
- Location of railyard since 1898; rail connection to S-Bahn
- Währinger Straße - Volksoper (7 October 1989)
- Historic Otto Wagner station retained
- Nussdorfer Straße (7 October 1989)
- Historic Otto Wagner station retained
- Spittelau (4 May 1996)
- Connections to U4, mainline and S-Bahn
- Jägerstraße (4 May 1996)
- Dresdner Straße (4 May 1996)
- Handelskai (4 May 1996)
- Connections to mainline and S-Bahn
- Neue Donau (4 May 1996)
- Floridsdorf (4 May 1996)
- Connections to mainline and S-Bahn
- First station on site 1897, current station is rebuilding of S-Bahn terminus.
4th expansion phase (2009–2019): Further extension of the Vienna U-Bahn
Planning for a fourth U-Bahn expansion phase began in 2001 and concrete ideas were put forth in the 2003 Transport Master Plan. Three projects have been approved:- U2 extension from Aspernstrasse to Flugfeld Aspern. The former airfield at Aspern is transforming in three major stages into the "Seaside City" of Vienna. Completion and opening is scheduled for 2013.
- U1 extension from Reumannplatz to Rothneusiedl. Completion is scheduled for 2015.
- U2 extension from Karlsplatz to Gudrunstrasse. The completion of the U2 extension is scheduled for 2019.
5th expansion phase
In the current rail network contract design work for the next decade has been considered and approved. There are discussions about the 5th expansion phase concerning an extension of the U6 northwards from Floridsdorf. The traffic problems at the city entrances also require consideration of whether to extend the U-Bahn to the edge of the city or beyond.Rolling stock
The Vienna U-Bahn has three types of rolling stock, as well as maintenance of way equipment. The U1, U2, U3, and U4 have two types of rolling stock: The older U class and the newer V class. The U6 has one class of train, the T type, the older E6/C6 having been retired in 2008.External links
A mapMap
A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, regions, and themes....
of Vienna's Schnellverbindungen (Fast Connections), consisting of underground lines, S-Bahn lines, the Lokalbahn Wien-Baden and the City Airport Train (CAT) is available in PDF
Portable Document Format
Portable Document Format is an open standard for document exchange. This file format, created by Adobe Systems in 1993, is used for representing documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems....
format: www.wienerlinien.at