ÖBB celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023



(Vienna, 17 January 2023) - ÖBB is celebrating a special birthday in 2023. On the occasion of its 100th anniversary, Austria's largest mobility and logistics service provider is looking not only to the past, but especially to the future.
The history of ÖBB as an independent economic entity began in 1923, specifically on 19 July 1923, when the National Council passed the Federal Railways Act, which formed the Austrian Federal Railways as an enterprise. ÖBB began operations on 1 October 1923. A lot has happened since then: Passenger trains became more comfortable, the rail network was expanded and largely electrified. This and much more led to more and more people choosing to travel by rail and freight transport by rail gained in importance. Since the 1980s, ÖBB has been working on the digitalisation of rail operations and thus shaping the climate-friendly and efficient mobility of the future.
ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä is pleased: "ÖBB's 100th anniversary is not under the motto 'Towards the Future' for nothing. For 100 years, the ÖBB team has been working on innovations for sustainable mobility. In the anniversary year, we will therefore not only look back on our history with a portion of pride, but above all set the course for the next 100 years towards the future."


Anniversary Railjet goes on tour

At the start of ÖBB's anniversary year, a special Railjet was officially "christened" and sent on its journey. The 7-part train is decorated with 100 reasons to work for ÖBB. These reasons come from the ÖBB team - from 100 ÖBB employees from very different professions. From train driver to IT expert to shunting employee - they all want to invite the passengers to join ÖBB professionally.
Because ÖBB is looking for around 3,000 new employees every year in the next few years due to the generation change. By 2027, around one fifth of ÖBB employees will retire. All in all, ÖBB will offer about 15,000 jobs on the Austrian labour market in the next five years.


Anniversary year with special birthday highlights 

For the 100-year anniversary, ÖBB will publish a special book, travel throughout Austria with various events and a mobile exhibition, and celebrate ÖBB's birthday on 1 October 2023 with special customer offers and highlights.

Time-lapse video of the wrapping