Vienna’s U2 underground line is back to full service after a three-and-a-half-year partial closure between Schottentor and Karlsplatz to make way for a future expansion.

From today, the line will operate its entire route, running from Seestadt to Karlsplatz, according to Wiener Linien. Services were originally expected to resume over a year ago, in autumn 2023.

The section was closed in May 2021 to allow for the expansion of Vienna’s U-Bahn network, which includes the new U5 line and a future rerouting of the U2.

Technical Issues Blamed for Delays

The reopening was delayed due to technical problems at Rathaus, set to be a major interchange between the U2 and U5. More recently, there were further issues with the new platform sliding doors.

The U2 will continue to run to Karlsplatz until at least 2030. After that, it will branch off onto a newly constructed route towards Matzleinsdorfer Platz, beginning at Rathaus. The U5 is due to start service in 2026. Until the southern extension of the U2 is completed, the U5 will share the section between Rathaus and Karlsplatz with the U2.