"Cheap Trains" in Austria: Hanke Warns of Dependence on China

Infrastructure Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) wants to protect the railway industry in Austria and throughout Europe from competition from China. To this end, he plans to submit proposals in Brussels "this year" and to start coordinating at the European level immediately, he said on Wednesday in an interview with APA and "Krone". European security and sovereignty should play a "significant role" in future testing procedures in the railway sector.

Westbahn ordered trains from China

The reason for his initiative is the announcement by Westbahn to put four trains from the Chinese railway giant CRRC into operation. These will be the first Chinese trains in Europe's long-distance traffic. However, Hanke explicitly wants to "make it clear that what has now been approved is also lawful and in order." "But for the future, we must ensure that we think and act European," he added.

He understands the decision of the company Westbahn, but as a minister, it is not his task "to state-supported private economic profits." He must focus on "made in Europe" because "if we do not look at the economic structures, who else will?" said Hanke. It is important that the railway industry, in which Europe is a leader, does not suffer the same fate as European producers of photovoltaic panels, who were displaced by Chinese competition.

New testing criteria: Sovereignty and Safety

Previously, examinations would only be conducted legally and technically. In the future, topics such as security and sovereignty are to be added as new criteria. A "clear signal from Europe to the world" is needed here, which is only possible at the European level. Trains from China would cost only 30 percent of European trains, but only because the industry is heavily state-subsidized.

The use of non-European software could lead to a security gap. There are no indications of this in the current case, but he wants to "categorically exclude" the possibility that it could ever happen and that there could be a possibility that European trains could be controlled from abroad. "Knowing when a train stops and when a train departs should be within the sovereignty of a state. Just having the concern that it could be elsewhere should be excluded."

Air Traffic Tax Fixed Until 2026

The domestic air traffic tax is fixed for 2025 and 2026, Hanke said in response to a question. How it will proceed afterwards will be examined. Because even if Austria is and wants to remain a quality location, it must face the competition of the regions, even within Europe. This will be examined as part of the airspace strategy, "to be able to make statements about what medium-term development looks like." "We probably also want to prove that we can keep up, of course. This hub function that we have in the East should be expanded and not restricted, which is important for a modern business location."

Hanke is "astonished" by the tone recently used by Ryanair, where there was talk of "lies" by the federal government and feigned willingness to talk. "The culture of conversation should be maintained," Hanke admonished. Apart from that, there are ongoing discussions.

(APA/Red)

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