Transport Minister Hermann advocates for increased bravery in the realm of local transportation
In a significant development for public transport in Germany, the State Mobility Act has been introduced, providing a legal basis for local governments to finance its expansion. This change, set to take effect at the end of March, is expected to revolutionize the funding of e-mobility and local mass transit infrastructures.
The Act empowers municipalities to levy taxes or fees to support public transport, with the potential for additional charges or taxes targeting road users, local businesses, and vehicle owners. This approach aims to supplement existing fare structures like the Deutschlandticket, with the ultimate goal of strengthening affordable mobility across Germany, including social and family fare models.
The southwest region, recognised as successful in Baden-Württemberg for its public transport improvements, spent 3.3 billion euros on public transport last year, marking a 70% increase compared to 2018. Despite this investment, concerns about breakdowns and delays persist, as highlighted by Transport Minister Winfried Hermann (Greens).
Hermann, who made his call for improved public transport while in Freiburg, emphasised the need for buses and trains to be more reliable to attract more passengers. He also proposed a tax to finance the expansion of public transport, promising that it would be refunded one-to-one as a discount on local time tickets.
The southwest has seen a 15% improvement in public transport in recent years, thanks to closer intervals and extended evening services. However, there is still room for improvement, particularly with buses. The demand from users has changed since the Corona pandemic, with home office work becoming more prevalent.
This new funding model addresses the need for long-term sustainable funding to enhance public transport quality, accessibility, and coverage. While it promotes necessary public transport expansion, it also implies potential tax or levy increases for citizens and vehicle owners to secure stable financing.
There is interest from city and district councils in this innovation, but there are also concerns about the acceptability of such a tax during difficult times. Christoph Schnaudigel, the Karlsruhe district administrator, stressed the importance of sufficient funding from federal and state governments for a successful mobility transition.
Hermann called on municipalities and districts to expand public transport with buses and trains, urging them to be self-confident and strive for a positive image. The success of the southwest serves as a testament to the potential benefits of this new funding model, and it remains to be seen how other regions will follow suit.
Gerd Hickmann, the responsible department head in the Ministry of Transport, noted that train traffic is popular, with the Germany ticket contributing to this. As the Act comes into effect, it will be interesting to observe how this new funding model shapes the future of public transport in Germany.
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