Carinthian-born ÖBB train driver Klaudia Malej has been honoured with the prestigious “Train Driver of the Year” award at the Transporeon Summit 2025 in Amsterdam. The accolade recognises her exceptional commitment, technical expertise, and sense of responsibility behind the controls.
As a universal train driver, Malej operates 15 different locomotive types and handles both passenger and freight services. Her work for the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group includes operating trains hundreds of metres long and weighing up to 2,000 tonnes, carrying raw materials such as wood, ore, and gravel, as well as consumer goods across Austria and beyond. “My job is not only to ensure the technical operation of the train, but also to comply with all specific regulations and safety requirements in different countries,” she explained.
The international award highlights the vital role of train drivers in maintaining supply chains and underscores rail’s environmental benefits. ÖBB Rail Cargo Group CEO Bettina Castillo praised the achievement: “We are very proud of Klaudia Malej and her outstanding achievement. She represents the professionalism, responsibility and passion with which our train drivers deliver goods reliably and sustainably every day.”
ÖBB continues to recruit around 4,100 new employees annually, with many roles suited to career changers. Malej herself joined ÖBB as a career changer, reflecting the company’s openness to new talent in rail operations.
