New platform screen doors

Vienna’s U2 underground line is running again along its entire route

(Bild: APA/Wiener Linien/Simon Wöhrer)

The U2 subway line has been running again on its entire route since the start of operations on Friday morning. The three-year partial closure between the Schottentor and Karlsplatz stations has been lifted. The new platform sliding doors have also been installed on the parts of the line that were closed for a long time (see above).

The U2 line is now also running again on the section between Schottentor and Karlsplatz, where operations had been suspended since 2021. The reason for the years-long closure was work on the future U2/U5 interchange.

Platform screen doors installed for the first time in Vienna
Among other things, sliding doors were installed on the platform on the last section of the line to be closed, which had never been installed on the Vienna subway network before. They will later enable fully automatic operation of the driverless U5.

Display boards: "Comeback of the year"
The launch on Friday was celebrated by Wiener Linien with a slogan on the displays in the stations: "Comeback of the year". Quite a few passengers marveled at the new ambience when entering the platforms - the continuous glass front in which the sliding doors are located.

They are easy to operate as the push button is similar to those on modern trains. When getting off the train, however, at least people who are in a hurry have to be careful. The platform screen door opens a little later and anyone who rushes out of the train without looking could bump into it.

Delays due to technical problems
Originally, operations on this section should have resumed more than a year ago. However, technical problems led to delays.

The U2 will continue to run to Karlsplatz until at least 2030. After that, it will branch off at the Rathaus junction onto the completely new line towards Matzleinsdorfer Platz.