ÖBB Completes Withdrawal of 4020 EMUs after 48 Years

VIENNA, AUSTRIA – ÖBB, Austria’s state railway, withdrew the 4020 series electric multiple units from revenue service in early July 2025 following a farewell trip on the Franz-Josefs-Bahn. The retirement ends nearly five decades of daily operation during which each of the 120 units covered an average of 4.8 million kilometres — roughly 120 trips around the Earth.

What Is the Full Scope of This Project?

The fleet renewal project involves the complete withdrawal of all 120 Class 4020 EMUs from Vienna S-Bahn and regional services, and their replacement by new Cityjet Doppelstock double-decker trains, which started carrying passengers in June 2025 on the north-south corridor that includes the Wiener Stammstrecke trunk line. The new trains add multifunctional spaces for bicycles, strollers and luggage, as well as barrier-free boarding zones designed to speed up passenger flows at stations. ÖBB has not disclosed the total contract value or the exact number of Cityjet Doppelstock units to be deployed, but initial deployment has concentrated on the most heavily used commuter route in eastern Austria, where the 4020 had been the familiar backbone for decades.

Key Project Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Projects?

ÖBB’s 4020 replacement is one of several concurrent fleet modernisation programmes in the eastern Austrian rail network. The cross-border operator GYSEV is also advancing the production of new InterCity EMUs, which are designed for operation on Austrian key routes and are set to strengthen cross-border connectivity (Source: Railvolution, July 2025). In parallel, ÖBB has a separate order for new Stadler FLIRT trains for InterCity services, with deliveries expected by the end of 2026, according to information provided to this publication. The three programmes together signal a broader push to replace ageing rolling stock across eastern Austria’s commuter and intercity lines, with a clear shift toward higher-capacity, low-floor access and modern passenger information systems.

Note: Independent verification of the exact delivery schedule for the GYSEV InterCity EMUs was not available at time of publication.

Editor’s Analysis

The retirement of the 4020 and the simultaneous rollout of double-deck Cityjets marks a structural capacity upgrade on the Wiener Stammstrecke, where passenger growth has been outstripping single-deck train capabilities. Pairing this with the confirmed arrival of new Stadler FLIRT intercity units by 2026 suggests ÖBB is reshaping its fleet to offer step-free, high-capacity rolling stock on both S-Bahn and longer-distance services, aligning with Austria’s 2025 infrastructure strategy that prioritises modernisation of the eastern network. The overlapping GYSEV programme also points to greater interoperability and a coordinated regional fleet renewal, likely to increase frequencies and service quality on cross-border links without waiting for separate infrastructure works.

FAQ

Q: When exactly did the 4020 series stop operating?
A: The final revenue service took place in early July 2025 on the Franz-Josefs-Bahn; the exact date within that period has not been disclosed, but the farewell run marked the formal retirement of the fleet.

Q: Which trains are replacing the 4020 series?
A: The 4020 is being replaced by Cityjet Doppelstock double-decker EMUs manufactured by Siemens Mobility, which offer barrier-free access, designated areas for bicycles and luggage, and higher overall capacity.

Q: Will the new double-deck trains run on the same routes as the 4020?
A: Yes, the Cityjet Doppelstock trains are initially deployed on the north-south corridor of the Vienna S-Bahn, including the Wiener Stammstrecke, the core trunk line where the 4020 was the dominant rolling stock for decades.