Transport Minister Hermann urges bold action in local transport matters
Germany's State Mobility Act Empowers Local Authorities to Finance Public Transport Expansion
In a significant move towards sustainable funding for public transportation, Germany's State Mobility Act provides municipalities with the legal framework to generate additional revenue to expand public passenger transport. This initiative, particularly evident in Baden-Württemberg, allows local governments to levy charges on car owners, residents, or even all road users and businesses to finance the expansion of public transport services.
The Act, considered a model for other states, empowers municipal authorities to independently secure new funding sources, such as charges or contributions from various road users and local businesses. This decentralized funding approach fosters tailored local solutions, with the aim of stabilizing and expanding affordable and accessible public transport.
The planned levies are part of long-term financing solutions, complementing existing initiatives like the Deutschlandticket and family fare packages. These local third-party user financing schemes resemble models used in other countries, such as the greater Paris area, where employer contributions financed almost half of public transport in 2022.
Last year, public budgets in the southwest invested 3.3 billion euros in public transport, an increase of 70% compared to 2018. However, there is still room for improvement, especially with buses, as highlighted by Gerd Hickmann.
Transport Minister Winfried Hermann (Greens) has called on municipalities and districts to show initiative for the expansion of public local transport by bus and rail. Speaking on the sidelines of a transport congress with around 700 participants, Hermann emphasized the need for public transport to become more self-confident and for buses and trains to be more reliable to attract more passengers.
The demand from users has changed since the Corona pandemic, with home office work becoming more prevalent. Despite this, public transport remains climate-friendly and should have a positive image, according to Hermann. However, there is interest from city and district administrations in this innovation, but also concerns about whether such a charge would be acceptable to people in difficult times.
Karlsruhe County Councilor Christoph Schnaudigel stated that the mobility transition can only succeed if the municipal side is adequately funded. The charge will be refunded one-to-one as a discount on time tickets for the use of public passenger transport (ÖPNV). However, the Transport Minister did not specify the exact details of the charge or how it would be implemented.
The new ÖPNV report recognizes the southwest as successful in public transport in Baden-Württemberg, with the offer of public transport improving by a total of 15% in recent years thanks to closer intervals and extensions into the evening. Rail traffic is popular, with the Germany ticket contributing to this, according to Gerd Hickmann, the responsible department head in the Ministry of Transport.
In conclusion, the State Mobility Act marks a legislative step towards empowering municipal authorities in Germany to implement charges or levies aimed at citizens, car owners, and local businesses to finance public passenger transport expansion sustainably. This could have significant implications for how public transport is funded in the future, potentially increasing local financial participation and fostering a stronger link between road usage and transport funding.
Read also:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty
- Proposed Standardization of Food Labeling Laws Among Member States by the Commission
