The Wiener Polizei were called to Bahnhof Meidling on Thursday afternoon due to severe overcrowding on an ÖBB Railjet train. The train, which departed from the Wiener Hauptbahnhof at 13:28, stopped at Meidling “weil keine gesicherte Mitfahrt gewährleistet werden konnte” – because a safe journey could not be guaranteed, according to an ÖBB spokesperson.
Police Intervention and Passenger Response
Train personnel requested passengers without seat reservations to disembark, referencing the presence of law enforcement on the platform. While the exact number of passengers who left the train is unknown, one individual estimated between 30 and 40 people were asked to exit. According to the ÖBB spokesperson, some passengers voluntarily disembarked, while others required more urging from ÖBB staff.
The Landespolizeidirektion confirmed the deployment, stating the reason for their presence was that “Fahrgäste möchten nicht aussteigen” – passengers did not want to disembark. However, police officers did not board the train, and were present only for security reasons, a police spokesperson explained.
Prior to the intervention, numerous passengers were packed tightly throughout the train, including a school class and a pregnant woman. ÖBB offered passengers vouchers worth 25 Euro for use on another train, but many declined the offer.
The Railjet was finally able to depart Meidling towards Zürich around 14:30, with approximately one hour’s delay. The ÖBB spokesperson stated that the train could not have continued with so many passengers on board. ÖBB is now urging passengers to reserve seats, especially during busy travel weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the train to stop at Meidling?
The train stopped at Meidling because a safe journey could not be guaranteed due to severe overcrowding, according to an ÖBB spokesperson.
Did the police enter the train?
No, the Landespolizeidirektion confirmed that police officers did not board the train, but were present at the station for security reasons.
What did ÖBB offer passengers who were asked to disembark?
ÖBB offered passengers vouchers worth 25 Euro for use on another train, but many passengers declined the offer.
As travel volumes continue to fluctuate, how might rail operators balance passenger demand with safety protocols?
