Kitzsteinhorn Heads Towards Co2 Neutral

Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG is once again setting innovative standards in the area of ​​sustainability for the tourist region of Zell am See-Kaprun. After the commissioning of Austria's first e-ski bus in December of the previous year, the next step towards seamless CO2-neutral travel to skiing fun is now taking place. An electrically operated articulated bus from MAN is being used in free trials by Postbus AG on local transport line 660 between Zell am See and Kaprun until April 28th. By train, e-bus and electrically operated cable car, you can enjoy skiing in an environmentally friendly way with the best snow conditions on wide glacier slopes. The e-bus is recharged directly at the power plant in Kaprun - the network is providing the electricity from renewable energy from the Kaprun hydroelectric power plant in test operation.

Test operation thanks to strong partners

Many years ago, Norbert Karlsböck, CEO of Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG, made the commitment to climate protection and resource conservation a corporate philosophy. Delighted with the test run, he reports: "With the e-articulated bus on route 660, a first test for closing the gap in an environmentally friendly journey has now been set earlier than expected. We know that traveling to and from the destination causes around 80% of the CO2 emissions of a holiday During the test period, guests can now take the CO2-neutral train to Zell am See and continue directly to Kaprun and the valley station of the Gletscherbahnen with the E-line 660. The E-village bus has already proven itself in local traffic especially the dynamism with which we reach our self-imposed goal, to make as much local transport as possible CO2-neutral within five years. The fact that we can complete this test operation this winter season is possible thanks to the clout of our strong partners from Postbus, MAN, the association, Salzburger Verkehrsverbund and the KEM climate and energy tourism model region Zell am See-Kaprun."

E line service in test operation

Provincial Councilor Stefan Schnöll is also enthusiastic about the new E-Line in local transport. "We are testing zero-emission drives in regular service to find out whether permanent use of the buses can work in normal operation. Especially with line 660 between Zell am See and Kaprun, cooperation with the Gletscherbahnen, the Salzburg transport association and the operator ÖBB- Postbus and the addition of ski bus services and scheduled services result in sensible synergies that benefit customers and the environment," explains Provincial Councilor Stefan Schnöll.
Alternative mobility offers for resource conservation

KEM manager Sebastian Vitzthum is also happy about the new e-bus connection within the climate and energy tourism model region of Zell am See-Kaprun: "The electrification of public transport is an important part of the KEM implementation concept for alternative on-site mobility and provides In addition to the public journey to the region, this is a focus. The fact that we can test an e-bus on the line on the 660 is sensational, after all, this important line between Zell am See and Kaprun recorded an increase in utilization of around 15% from 220 to 2021.

Thanks to the initiative of Postbus AG and Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG, we can now test a purely electrically operated articulated bus on this important route.For KEM, this test is another important step towards establishing alternative mobility offers!"

The glacier spring on the Kitzsteinhorn goes into extra time with the finest firmness. After successfully completing the test run of the articulated e-bus, more e-buses are to be used on line 660 and the Kaprun ski bus lines from winter.