Berlin – Exactly one year after the federal government’s first mobility summit, an alliance of associations and unions is calling for clear priorities in transport policy. IG Metall, EVG, Allianz pro Schiene, ADFC and Zukunft Fahrrad appeal to the coalition to align its transport policy more closely with ecological and social criteria during the remaining term of office and to prepare the industry for changing jobs. According to the alliance, the goal must be a legally anchored mobility guarantee for all people in Germany.
At the beginning there must be a clear commitment to new priorities in transport policy, said EVG chairman Martin Burkert. “Mobility is more than automobility. Germany has enough motorways and federal highways, but too few railway lines and cycle highways,” says Burkert. This new prioritization must also be followed by a different type of financing. “We need a cross-modal infrastructure fund based on the Swiss model that will be set up for several years. This is the only way to ensure a secure financing basis for the transport transition.”
The managing director of the Pro-Rail Alliance, Dirk Flege, said: “Financial resources from the construction of new federal highways must be reallocated to counter-financing and taxes in the mobility sector must be realigned.”
The alliance also sees a lot of catching up to do when it comes to cycling infrastructure. ADFC federal chairman Frank Masurat says: “In order to achieve the goal agreed in the National Cycling Plan of twice as much bicycle traffic and at the same time greater safety for cyclists, the federal government must reform the road traffic law in a bicycle-friendly manner. The current law is slowing down municipalities from building safe and attractive cycle paths. The Federal Ministry of Transport has made a legislative proposal for this, which was passed by the Bundestag. But now some federal states are putting the brakes on using pretextual arguments. It is cynical that they want to cement the privileges of car traffic at the expense of the safety of cyclists. We urgently appeal to the federal and state governments to find an agreement in this legislative period. The reform of the road traffic law does not bring less road safety, but more!”
In addition, further incentives are needed to switch to sustainable means of transport. “All tax steering instruments in the transport sector must ensure that the least climate-damaging means of transport are given the most support. The federal government could adjust the tax regulations accordingly at any time,” said Elena Laidler-Zettelmeyer, Head of Strategic Cooperations at Zukunft Fahrrad. “Incentives are also created through simplified taxation. An uncomplicated application of a mobility budget in a company context creates freedom of choice and promotes the switch to sustainable means of transport other than the company car.”
For the alliance, the transport transition also includes considering changed and new jobs and ensuring their quality. “The transport transition has the potential for an employment offensive. This requires an active industrial policy and good training opportunities for employees of companies undergoing transformation. Works councils must be closely involved from the start,” said the second chairman of IG Metall, Jürgen Kerner. “The federal government must ensure that it promotes jobs in Germany and Europe. It should ensure by law that at least 50% of buses and trains are ‘made in Europe’ when the public sector contracts out transport services or public transport companies procure vehicles for passenger transport.”
The alliance suggests introducing a mobility guarantee in Germany – as already exists in Austria and Switzerland. “This means minimum standards throughout the country and a legal right to mobility services,” said Dirk Flege on behalf of everyone involved. “The transport transition is also an opportunity for many things to become better – ecologically, economically and socially.”
Press contacts:Sabrina Wendling press spokesperson Allianz pro Schiene030. 246 25 99 200171. 727 00 26sabrina.wendling@allianz-pro-schiene.de
Artur Siemens press spokesmanIG Metall069. 6693 2872 0160. 533 782artur.siemens@igmetall.de