Adjusting to the New Normal: The Impact of COVID-19 on ÖBB's Nightjet Services
Prolonged halt of at least one month for the overnight train service between Brussels and Vienna
In response to the ever-changing landscape of travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Austrian railroad company ÖBB has made some significant changes to their Nightjet services. Following the announcement of the suspension of the Brussels-Innsbruck connection and the increased Brussels-Vienna services starting 13th December, ÖBB has now decided to temporarily halt the Brussels and Vienna/Innsbruck night train, effective from 5th November.
This suspension is primarily due to the increase in coronavirus infections and travel restrictions in several countries, particularly Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. However, ÖBB has been quick to assure that all day traffic, including cross-border trains, will remain unaffected by the changes.
Initially scheduled to launch on 13th December, the increased Brussels-Vienna services were a strategic move by ÖBB boss Andreas Matthaë. The plan was for the night train to leave Brussels on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, arriving in Vienna just after 9:00 AM, with return journeys leaving Vienna on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings. This Nightjet service between Brussels and Vienna, the first night train in Belgium since 2003, aimed to cater to travelers seeking socially distanced, sustainable, and comfortable alternatives to air travel during the pandemic.
Passengers on the affected Nightjet connections are advised to contact ÖBB customer service or the respective partner railway/sales point to claim a refund or rebook on day connections. Despite the temporary suspension, ÖBB remains optimistic about resuming the Brussels-Vienna Nightjet services safely and relaxed in time for the holiday season, acknowledging the local and national measures being taken to contain the pandemic.
The increase in night train services can also be seen as part of a broader strategy by rail operators to adapt to the fragmented and evolving travel conditions imposed by the coronavirus crisis. By offering sleeper cars with private cabins and boosting direct night train connections between key European cities, operators like ÖBB are catering to travelers seeking safe, sustainable, and comfortable alternatives to air travel during the pandemic.
While direct statements on the coronavirus restrictions’ impact on the specific Brussels-Vienna Nightjet expansion from December 13, 2020, are limited, it is clear that the pandemic has acted as both a challenge and a catalyst for ÖBB and other rail operators to adapt and grow their night train offerings in the face of changing health and safety regulations.
- In the travel industry, especially in the context of COVID-19, rail operators like ÖBB are focusing on providing safe, sustainable, and comfortable alternatives to air travel for holidays, such as the Nightjet service between Brussels and Vienna.
- The temporary halt of the Brussels and Vienna/Innsbruck night train, announced by ÖBB due to rising coronavirus infections and travel restrictions, is not affecting all day traffic, including cross-border trains.
- Despite the suspension of some Nightjet connections, ÖBB remains optimistic about resuming the Brussels-Vienna Nightjet services before the holiday season, demonstrating their commitment to catering to local travel demands during the pandemic.
- Financial implications of travel restrictions, including suspensions and restructurings of services due to coronavirus infections, are challenging the transportation sector, necessitating adaptations, such as the increase in night train services by operators like ÖBB.
