Berlin — Exactly one year after the federal government’s first mobility summit, an alliance of associations and unions is calling for clear priorities in transportation policy. IG Metall, EVG, Allianz pro Schiene, ADFC, and Zukunft Fahrrad are urging the coalition to align its transportation policy more closely with environmental and social criteria during the remainder of its term and to prepare the industry for changes in the workforce. According to the coalition, the goal must be a legally enshrined mobility guarantee for everyone in Germany.
“It must start with a clear commitment to new priorities in transportation policy,” said EVG Chairman Martin Burkert. “Mobility is more than just car-based mobility. Germany has enough highways and federal roads, but not enough rail lines and bike expressways,” Burkert said. This new prioritization must also be accompanied by a different approach to financing. “We need a multimodal infrastructure fund modeled after the Swiss system, established for several years. Only then will there be a secure financial basis for the transportation transition.”
Dirk Flege, Executive Director of the Alliance for Rail, commented: “Funds earmarked for the construction of new federal highways must be reallocated to offset these costs, and taxes in the mobility sector must be realigned.”
The alliance also sees a significant need to catch up when it comes to bicycle infrastructure. ADFC Federal Chairman Frank Masurat says: “To achieve the goal agreed upon in the National Bicycle Traffic Plan—doubling bicycle traffic while simultaneously improving safety for cyclists—the federal government must reform the Road Traffic Act to make it more bicycle-friendly. The current law is holding back municipalities from building safe and attractive bike paths. The Federal Ministry of Transport has proposed a bill to this effect, which was passed by the Bundestag. But now some federal states are putting the brakes on with flimsy excuses. It is cynical that they want to cement the privileges of automobile traffic at the expense of cyclists’ safety. We urgently call on the federal and state governments to reach an agreement before the end of this legislative session. Reforming the Road Traffic Act will not reduce traffic safety—it will increase it!”
Furthermore, additional incentives are needed to encourage the shift to sustainable modes of transportation. “For all tax-based policy instruments in the transportation sector, the principle must be that the modes of transportation least harmful to the climate receive the strongest support. The federal government could adjust the tax regulations accordingly at any time,” said Elena Laidler-Zettelmeyer, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Zukunft Fahrrad. “Incentives are also created through simplified taxation. The straightforward implementation of a mobility budget in a corporate context provides freedom of choice and encourages the switch to sustainable modes of transportation instead of company cars.”
For the alliance, the transportation transition also involves considering existing and new jobs and ensuring their quality. “The transportation transition has the potential to boost employment. This requires an active industrial policy and good continuing education opportunities for employees of companies undergoing this transformation. Works councils must be closely involved from the very beginning,” said Jürgen Kerner, Second Chair of IG Metall. “The federal government must ensure that jobs in Germany and Europe are supported. It should enact legislation to ensure that at least 50% of buses and trains are ‘made in Europe’ when public authorities award transportation service contracts or when public transportation companies procure vehicles for passenger transport.”
The alliance proposes introducing a mobility guarantee in Germany—similar to those already in place in Austria and Switzerland. “This means minimum standards across the entire country and a legal right to mobility services,” said Dirk Flege on behalf of all participants. “The transportation transition is also an opportunity to improve many things—ecologically, economically, and socially.”
Position Paper
Press Contacts:
Sabrina Wendling
Press Spokesperson
Alliance for Rail
030. 246 25 99 20
0171. 727 00 26
sabrina.wendling@allianz-pro-schiene.de
Artur Siemens
Press Spokesperson
IG Metall
069. 6693 2872
0160. 533 782
artur.siemens@igmetall.de
