Due to two individuals, trains in Vienna are stopping frequently.
In Vienna, railway passengers face daily disruptions due to homeless individuals suffering from mental health issues who refuse all offers of help. These two individuals are known among railway staff by the nicknames "Martin the Louse" and "Elephant Foot," as the former suffers from a severe lice infestation, causing trains to be taken out of service when he boards. The latter has a serious infection in his leg that emits such a foul odor that it reaches the driver's cabin, prompting passengers to leave the carriages.
Despite repeated complaints and disturbances, the two men refuse any assistance from the relevant authorities and even insult those who try to help them. The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) has imposed a ban on their entry into trains, but it has not been enforced in practice. Since forced intervention is only allowed in life-threatening situations, the authorities find themselves in a continuous struggle without clear solutions.