ÖBB has put into operation the first electrified and modernised section on the Styrian Western Railway which has been undergoing extensive upgrades since 2021. Starting 4 August 2025, the Graz – Wettmannstätten – Wies/Eibiswald section entered operation.
With the integration at the new Weststeiermark station, mobility across Styria becomes even more efficient and environmentally friendly.
To implement electrification in this area, around 970 masts were installed, 140 tonnes of fittings were manually mounted on the masts, and 95 km of overhead lines were laid. In addition to electrification, numerous stations and stops are being modernised, park & ride facilities expanded, and infrastructure measures such as tunnel and junction works carried out.
“The successful commissioning of the electrified section between Graz, Wettmannstätten and Wies/Eibiswald marks a major milestone for sustainable mobility in Styria. With this modernisation, we are sending a strong signal for environmentally friendly, reliable and efficient rail transport,” Ewald Jantscher, the Managing Director of GB GKBI, ÖBB-Infrastruktur, said.
The electrification of the section will enable annual savings of around 16,000 tonnes of CO₂, a significant contribution to climate protection. According to the current framework plan, approximately EUR 693.1 million is being invested in the project.
The first electrified and modernised section now provides improved regional connectivity to Graz and to the Koralm Railway, which is set to open at the end of the year.
Plans for further expansion phases are already underway, including the development of new regional transport hubs in Graz to make transfers between the S-Bahn and the city’s public transport easier. In parallel, additional sections of the route are being modernised to better connect the region to both regional and national transport networks.
The electrification of Styrian Western Railway is one of Austria’s largest electrification projects and an important step towards reducing CO2 emissions in Austrian rail transport. Switching from diesel to electric power on 91 km of the line will save approximately 16,000 tons of CO2 per year. The electrification will create the conditions for a continuous 30-minute service between Graz and Wies-Eibiswald and it will also enable significantly improved connections to Vienna and Villach.
These measures lay the foundation for a high-performance, sustainable, and future-proof mobility concept for the West Styria region and the south-western part of the Graz metropolitan area. Passengers will benefit from shorter journey times, improved connections, barrier-free stations, and quieter, more efficient rail services.
“With the launch of the electrified section on the Styrian Western Railway, Styria is taking a major step towards modernising and enhancing the appeal of public transport. Only by providing better services can we create greater demand and encourage even more people to choose the train over their private car,” Claudia Holzer, Regional Councillor, Province of Styria, said.
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