As part of the opening celebrations, Vienna’s population was treated to a diverse open-air programme with music and entertainment at every new U2 station. Live acts from national and international stars such as Mondscheiner, Opus, Mainstreet, Mark Medlock and Sister Sledge performed late into the night.

FACTS AND STATION DESCRIPTIONS

The transport concept devised by Wiener Linien was a resounding success across the board. After only five years of construction work, the U2 line extension and its five stations now connect the city centre to the Ernst Happel Stadium via Praterstern and Messegelände. Whoever wants to travel from the city centre to a football match can do so in only 14 minutes – without the hassle of traffic jams and hunting for a parking space. The newly extended U2 passed its first major test, EURO 2008 in June, with flying colours.

However, it is not just football fans who can benefit from this. Key infrastructure facilities such as Vienna’s exhibition centre (Wien Messe) or the future site of the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration can now be reached directly with Wiener Linien.

The “umbilical cord” of the U2

In order to be able to operate the roughly 4-km long stretch, it was necessary to construct a 2.1-km long rail link between the Stadion station and the train depot at Erdberg. This meant that Wiener Linien had to dig a roughly 1.7-km long single-track tunnel right through the Prater. The 416-metre long access ramp was built using conventional trenching techniques. This “umbilical cord” makes it possible to add extra empty trains to the line before and after an event at the Ernst Happel Stadium, significantly accelerating the process of transporting passengers.

FIVE NEW U2 STATIONS

Stadion: The Stadion station is currently the final stop on the U2. It has been specially designed for large events.

Krieau: The Krieau station was built as a bridge structure with exits on both platforms. It is completely covered – just like every other elevated U2 station – to protect it from the elements and to reduce noise pollution. The entrance to Wien Messe is directly accessible from the station.

Messe Prater: The entrance to Wien Messe is also directly accessible from the Messe Prater station.

Praterstern: The Praterstern station is an integral part of the new North Vienna train station (Wien Nord) operated by Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), and it also serves as an intersection and interchange to the existing U1 underground line and to the suburban railway services (Schnellbahnen).

Taborstrasse: The Taborstrasse station was chosen to model an artwork project (permanent ceramic work) being promoted by Wiener Linien in cooperation with “Public Art” (KÖR – Kunst im öffentlichen Raum). The project entitled “ein Garten (zum Beispiel)” blooms in the white and violet colours of the U2 over an area of 104 m².