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11. 06. 12. - 16:00

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11. 06. 12. - 16:00

ÖBB boss praises rival 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.

Vienna Times

Birth balance negative once again
The birth balance of 2012 has been negative for the first time in three years. This was due to an increase in deaths. Another trend is that women give birth to their first child when they are older.

Suspected fraud in community flats sector
Five recently renovated community flats are being taken apart again. The state-housing organisation "Wiener Wohnen" is examining whether the renovation works have been carried out properly.

Long Night of the Churches tonight
The programme of "Long Night of the Churches" offers hundreds of events in Vienna alone. It partly focuses on the topic of asylum. The question whether aliens go to heaven will also be discussed.

Army officer sentenced over getting recruits to lay flooring at his house
The state court of Vienna sentenced a second lieutenant of the Austrian Army to nine months in jail due to misuse of authority. He had three recruits lay the flooring in his own house.

Child injured on zebra crossing
A ten-year-old girl was severely injured in a car accident in Vienna-Margareten yesterday (Wed). A car hit her on a zebra crossing. It remained unclear whether the girl or the driver was supposed to wait.

Long Night of the Churches
Hundreds of churches Austria-wide to open their doors for the "Long Night of the Churches" (original: "Langen Nacht der Kirchen") on May, 24.

Cheapskate Tourist Almost Died In Sewer Visit
A German tourist had a lucky escape after he decided to go underground to get a view of the Vienna sewers, and fell badly breaking several bones including his hip and his leg.

Preparation for Life Ball begins
The preparations of the Life Ball in Vienna are at full blast after delays due to bad weather last weekend. Star guests like Eva Longoria and Carmen Electra are expected at Vienna Airport on Friday.

Woman killed by Vienna tram
A female pedestrian tried to cross a street in Vienna Hietzing yesterday afternoon (Tues) without paying attention to the traffic. She was hit by the tram number 60 and died at the scene.

15 minutes free parking instead of 10
The 15-minute parking ticket will replace the 10-minute parking ticket in autumn. The only alternative is to buy your parking ticket with your phone. A parking clock does not protect you from a fine.