The volume of rail passenger transport in Austria saw steady growth from 2013 to 2019, peaking at 13.35 billion passenger kilometers in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decline in 2020, with a drop of 44.44% from the previous year. Despite a recovery in 2021 and reaching near pre-pandemic levels at 12.93 billion passenger kilometers in 2022, 2023 saw a 13.33% decrease, standing at 11.21 billion passenger kilometers. Forecasts show a gradual decline from 2024 onwards, with a forecasted value of 10.94 billion passenger kilometers by 2028.
Year-on-year variations highlight significant fluctuations with recovery phases and downturns impacted by external factors, notably the pandemic. The long-term CAGR presents a moderate decline of -0.39% over the next five years.
Future trends to watch for include:
• Impact of environmental policies and sustainable transport initiatives.
• Innovations in rail technology boosting efficiency and attractiveness.
• Economic factors influencing passenger behavior and transport demand.
