New Elevators for Viennese Subway Stations

After more than 20 years of operation, eleven elevators in the Vienna subway network are being brought up to date. Wiener Linien is investing around 6.3 million euros in these modernisation measures. The U6 line continues to be a particular focus this year.

The Gumpendorfer Straße made the start on January 7th. The stations Michelbeuern-AKH, Perfektastraße, Siebenhirten, Tscherttegasse and Am Schöpfwerk will also be equipped with modern elevators by 2025. Stephansplatz and Hütteldorf are also getting new lifts.

More Accessibility and Modern Technology

288 elevators in 109 subway stations are currently available to passengers. These cover over 2,000 kilometers annually - roughly the distance from Vienna to Cairo as the crow flies. Since 2020, a total of 46 elevators have been brought up to date or replaced. The new elevators meet important standards in terms of accessibility, such as acoustic voice announcements for blind people and displays for deaf people.

The work takes an average of eight weeks per elevator. Stations with side platforms are accessible without barriers via a transfer at neighbouring stations with central platforms during the modernisation work.

New Elevators Along the Vienna U6

Since 2024, numerous elevators along the U6 subway line have been renewed. Wiener Linien provides information about this in the stations, on the website and in the WienMobil App. The following stations are affected by restrictions:

Modern Elevator at Stephansplatz

The elevator at Stephansplatz has served its purpose after 34 years. It has more than ten million rides under its belt. To maintain barrier-free access to the Stephansplatz station in the coming decades, modernization is essential. The new elevator will receive, among other things, a modern drive system, a new cabin, and elevator doors with concealed door rails that can withstand grit – this is particularly important in winter to avoid door malfunctions.

Between January 20 and March 17, the elevator at Stephansplatz, which leads to the surface, will be renewed. During this period, barrier-free access to the surface will not be possible. Transfers between U1 and U3 will still be barrier-free. The city center can be reached during the work with the tram lines on the Ring, with the subway lines U1 (Schwedenplatz, Karlsplatz), U2 (Karlsplatz, Schottenring), U3 (Stubentor, Herrengasse) U4 (Schwedenplatz, Schottenring) and the bus lines 1A, 2A and 3A.

U4 Station Hütteldorf Gets a New Elevator After 30 Years

The elevator at the Hütteldorf station also has 30 years and more than 6.5 million rides behind it. From May 26 to September 1, the elevator at the U4 platform will be brought up to date. The old, hydraulically operated elevator is a real energy guzzler that no longer meets today's standards.

As part of the renovation, a new rope elevator will be installed. This allows for energy-efficient operation. A significantly higher operating speed also allows for the handling of more passengers. During the 14-week construction period, a new elevator shaft and a new control room will be built. During this period, the U4 platform at the Hütteldorf station is not barrier-free accessible. S-Bahn trains, buses and trams provide barrier-free access to Hütteldorf.

Twelve New Escalators Running by the End of 2025

The Wiener Linien are also investing in the modernization of their escalators. Since 2020, 86 escalators have already been renovated or replaced as needed. In 2025, another 12 renewals are planned, including in the Karlsplatz, Jägerstraße, Dresdner Straße and Handelskai stations. The new escalators are characterized by lower energy consumption and increased safety through improved lighting.

More on Vienna's urban development

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