Vorarlberg S-Bahn

The Vorarlberg S-Bahn is a label for regional rail services in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg. It is integrated into the Vorarlberg Transport Association (VVV) which manages ticket pricing, and is operated by the state-owned ÖBB and privately owned Montafonerbahn (mbs). In addition to Vorarlberg, the network connects to the German town of Lindau and the Swiss town of St. Margrethen.

Map

Establishment

In December 2005, the first Bombardier Talents were given S-Bahn branding. However, only VVV timetables designated these services as such - ÖBB ran them as a standard regional service, and only later the S1 and S3 lines took over. Since December 2020, mbs' services on the S4 line are also designated as S-Bahn.

Fleet modernization began in 2018 to the ÖBB Cityjet standard. This includes a new paint scheme, new seat covers, and passenger information monitors.

Lines

ÖBB operates lines the lines 1, 2, and 3 while Montafonerbahn operates line 4.[1]

S1: Lindau - Bludenz
The S1 line runs between Lindau and Bludenz.

The S1 is the busiest of the Vorarlberg S-Bahn's lines. S-Bahn and Regional-Express trains run on separate tracks in intervals of less than ten minutes. Since December 2011, between Bregenz and Bludenz there is a time interval of 30 minutes until 23:00. The most important urban transport hubs along the route are Bludenz Station, Bregenz Railway Station, Dornbirn and Feldkirch.

S3: Bregenz - St. Margrethen

S3 trains currently run every half an hour, with some hourly services in the mornings and evenings. The line was expanded to an almost continuous half-hourly coverage until 2016. With its terminus in St. Margrethen, the S3 provides connection to the S-Bahn St. Gallen. The most important metro node along the route is Lustenau. All former R and REX trains on the route become S-Bahn trains but retain their old stopping pattern.

S4: Schruns - Bludenz

S4 trains run primarily on an hourly basis.

S2 (proposed): Feldkirch - Buchs

The Feldkirch–Buchs railway is already operated by ÖBB. Proposals are underway to upgrade the line and designate it as part of the S-Bahn network, under the project name "S-Bahn Liechtenstein" (de; formerly S-Bahn FL.A.CH). A Letter of Intent was signed between Austria and Liechtenstein in April 2020.

Rolling Stock
ÖBB 4024 S-Bahn Vorarlberg

ÖBB currently operates 1st-generation Bombardier Talent Class 4024s across all its S-Bahn lines. ÖBB signed an agreement[2] to purchase up to 300 new Bombardier Talent 3 units for delivery from mid-2019. However, Bombardier is behind on testing[3] and the Talent 3 is yet to be delivered, prompting the refurbishment of the existing Talent 1 series.

ÖBB has now decided to re-tender the contract, after a single unit was given for passenger testing in November 2020.

References
  1. "S-Bahn Vorarlberg [German language]". oebb.at. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  2. Railcolor Headquarters (29 December 2016). "ÖBB signs framework agreement for Talent3 – 21 trains ordered". Railcolor News. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  3. Cech, Lubomir (30 March 2020). "Talents face delays: Trains ordered from Bombardier missing in the operation". Railcolor News. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
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