ÖBB and Austrian Post Launch Major Parcel Locker Network Expansion Across Austria

New 24/7 Parcel Lockers to Enhance Commuter Convenience

Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and Austrian Post have announced a significant partnership to install a network of approximately 50 new 24/7 parcel lockers at train stations across Austria. This initiative aims to integrate parcel services into daily commutes, allowing passengers to pick up or send parcels conveniently while traveling. The rollout of these new 'post offices' or 'postal stations' is set to occur in the coming months.

Sustainable and Off-Grid Solutions

A notable feature of this expansion is the deployment of several off-grid parcel lockers. These units will be equipped with photovoltaic modules on their roofs, enabling them to generate their own electricity and operate independently of the main power grid. This focus on energy-self-sufficient solutions underscores a commitment to sustainable infrastructure.

Silvia Angelo, a member of the executive board at ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, highlighted the strategic importance of this development, stating, 'Railway stations are central mobility hubs – places where people not only arrive and depart every day but can also take advantage of services. The new 24/7 post offices are a further step toward establishing train stations as modern service centers in people's everyday lives and making our passengers' journeys even more efficient.' She added, 'I am particularly pleased that we are also focusing on innovative, energy-self-sufficient solutions – another step toward a sustainable and modern infrastructure for Austria.'

Initial Deployments and Future Plans

The first of these new 24/7 parcel lockers has already been installed at Leobendorf station in Lower Austria, featuring more than 50 parcel compartments. Additional locations are planned, including four sites in Lower Austria: Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, Ebreichsdorf, Aspang-Markt, and one in Burgenland: Deutschkreutz.

Walter Oblin, CEO of Austrian Post, emphasized the collaborative benefit, stating, 'With this cooperation, two large Austrian companies are combining their strengths to make people's everyday lives even easier and more convenient. Our new locations at train stations bring the post office even closer to our customers and enable optimal connections.' He also expressed pride in the energy-self-sufficient units, calling them 'an important step toward a sustainable and future-oriented infrastructure.'

Broader European Trend

This expansion by ÖBB and Austrian Post aligns with a wider European trend of increasing parcel locker networks. Such initiatives aim to improve last-mile delivery efficiency, reduce car trips, and consolidate parcel flows at high-traffic locations. The integration of parcel services at public transport hubs is becoming a common strategy across the continent.