Night Train Vienna-Paris Facing Discontinuation?

The connections Vienna-Paris and Berlin-Paris are operated by ÖBB in cooperation with Deutsche Bahn, the French SNCF, and the Belgian NMBS/SNCB. ÖBB Nightjet is used. The train connections are staffed and marketed by all participating railway companies.

No official confirmation yet for night train discontinuation

There is currently no official confirmation for the discontinuation of the train connections: "We have not yet received an official notification about the termination of the PSO ("Public Service Obligations", note) services in France," ÖBB stated upon request from APA. "Currently, we are in close contact with our partners SNCF and DB and will communicate possible impacts in the coming days." Deutsche Bahn, on the other hand, referred to the French state railway, which in turn referred to the ministry, which initially did not comment.

"The state as a shareholder demands that we be profitable, and we are only so with considerable effort. It cannot demand that we operate connections at a loss, just for the sake of a nice symbol, even if it would be a nice symbol," "Le Monde" quoted an SNCF official.

Budget was cut

According to the newspaper, the French Transport Ministry decided in the summer to withdraw the millions in aid for the night trains to Berlin and Vienna after the government informed the ministry of its budget framework for 2026. France is heavily indebted and continues to struggle with how to balance its finances after the government's fall in a dispute over an austerity budget.

Other French media reported on the impending end for the night trains, citing information from the initiative "Oui au train de nuit!" (Yes to the night train!). The initiative launched an online petition to preserve the night trains, which nearly 15,000 people joined in a short time. Additionally, a demonstration was planned for Friday evening in front of the Gare de L'Est in Paris, where the night trains to Vienna and Berlin depart.

The initiative complained that the night train connections only run three times a week and, contrary to assurances, have not been expanded to a daily service. Additionally, the trains are not listed at all in the French booking portal SNCF Connect and are only bookable for travelers in France through detours.

(APA/Red)

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