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11. 06. 12. - 16:00

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11. 06. 12. - 16:00

ÖBB boss praises rival over Vienna-Salzburg service

Austrian train service ÖBB boss Christian Kern says that their new private rival is performing well and providing serious competition six months after the start of the new Private train service Westbahn.

But he concluded that at the same time the fact that they were such a strong competitor had forced the Austrian rail service to improve its operation.

He said that since the entry onto the market on the route between Vienna and Salzburg, the ÖBB have certainly lost a lot of customers. But he added that the competition between the two had raised awareness of the train service that also meant there were more customers available.

He said: "Westbahn is well run and has quickly overcome the difficulties they had the start, and they remain a serious competitor for the ÖBB."

Westbahn is owned by the French National Railway SNCF, the building giant Hans Peter Haselsteiner and a Swiss investor group represented by Erhard Grossnigg.

Austrian Times

Birth balance negative once again
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Football manager fined 30,000 Euro
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New theatre alliance
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Salzburg Social Democrats Lose Case Against Finanzbuddha
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Water quality tests in lakes
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Drunk man drives 40 km on wrong side of road
An intoxicated Slovenian man drove 40 km on the wrong side of the Tauernautobahn motorway (A10) on Tuesday night. A courageous lorry driver stopped the Slovenian when the man stopped to urinate.

Tyrol lowest regional unemployment level in EU
In comparison to European regions, Tyrol and Salzburg have the lowest regional unemployment. Most unemployment occurs in the regions of Spain and Greece.

Salzburg coalition talks begin
A significant majority of the Green Party decided to start coalition talks with the ÖVP last evening (Wed). Negotiations about a new state government will start today. Team Stronach will also take part in the talks.

Baumgartner tax row
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Record visitor numbers at Salzburg Whitsun Festival
The Whitsun Festival in Salzburg has set a new record of visitors and revenue. Cecilia Bartoli, a popular soloist and the artistic director of the festival, was particularly popular.