On the occasion of the infrastructure dialogue in the Federal Ministry of Transport and the ongoing debate on the federal budget, the Alliance for Socially Compatible Mobility Transition is calling for a clear prioritization of maintenance over new construction in the transport infrastructure. “In order to meet climate targets and secure livelihoods, no budgetary resources in the area of public services or climate protection must be cut. The social-ecological transformation of the transport infrastructure must be given political priority,” said the broad civil society alliance in a paper presented today.
Currently, dilapidated bridges, railways and roads are restricting the mobility of many people and thus also their participation in social life. The status quo of the infrastructure is also an obstacle for commercial traffic. The associated delays, detours and unreliability are a significant time and cost factor.
A gap in the double-digit billion range is currently forecast for the 2025 federal budget, which will be missing in the 2025 federal budget. In view of the expected massive cost increases for federal transport planning projects, “business as usual” with ever new motorways and federal highways is neither possible nor sustainable from a fiscal policy perspective.
The Alliance for Socially Compatible Mobility Transition sees an urgent need for action to secure public services, compliance with climate goals and the attractiveness of the business location:
Dilapidated roads and bridges endanger mobility: maintaining and repairing the existing transport network must consistently be given higher priority than the construction and expansion of motorways and federal highways. New road construction may only be necessary to a limited extent in justified exceptional cases.
Use potential and expand the rail network: For a long-term resilient rail network, in addition to rapid and comprehensive renovation, electrification and reactivation of routes, more federal funds are needed for a nature-friendly expansion of the rail system.
Reliable offers for commuting to work: In order to have real freedom of choice between means of transport, more staff are needed and, especially in rural areas, attractive, reliable and barrier-free public transport offers as well as public charging infrastructure for commuters.
Financial relief for society through targeted investments: Honesty is needed in the debate and fairness in the distribution of public resources. Climate-damaging subsidies must be dismantled in a socially acceptable manner and funds must be redistributed from climate-damaging to climate-friendly infrastructure.
“A fundamental move away from the construction of new motorways and federal highways will free up urgently needed financial resources for the maintenance of the existing road network and investments in the rail infrastructure and the environmental network,” says the joint statement. Sustainable mobility offers could be used by everyone, offer a real choice between means of transport, are active climate protection and secure jobs in sustainable industries.
The Alliance for Socially Acceptable Mobility Transition welcomes the discussion about an infrastructure fund and proposes a cross-mode, multi-year infrastructure fund that is based on the Swiss model with clearly regulated financing pillars for rail, public transport, walking and cycling as well as funding programs for charging infrastructure. For a successful mobility transition, higher, reliable and reliable financial resources are urgently needed.
The position paper of the Alliance for Socially Compatible Mobility Transition can here be downloaded.
The Alliance for Socially Compatible Mobility Transition brings together the expertise of trade unions (IG Metall, ver.di, DGB), social, welfare and environmental associations (VdK, SoVD, AWO, VCD, BUND, NABU) and the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), to support the transformation of mobility in Germany together. Together, the alliance represents many millions of members and offers a platform for issues surrounding a social and ecological mobility transition. The alliance is funded and supported by the Mercator Foundation.