Austria train operator starts to use China-made trains

Austrian train operator Westbahn on Wednesday became the first in the EU to start using China-made trains for regular long-distance travel. A Westbahn spokesman told that the first of four double-decker trains made by CRRC went into service, travelling from Vienna to Salzburg on Wednesday.

Three other trains are to follow in the coming weeks, plying the same route, he said. The train went into use after Westbahn received the necessary permissions, including from the EU's railway agency ERA, he added. Westbahn ordered the trains in 2019. Since 2022 they have been doing test runs in Austria.