Baden-Württemberg: Government Wants to Accelerate Mobility Transition with Mobility Act

After months of negotiations between the Greens and the CDU, the state government now wants to push forward the mobility law proposed by Transport Minister Winfried Hermann (Greens). On Tuesday, the cabinet is expected to address the draft law.

Law as a Guideline for Climate-Friendly Mobility

"With the Mobility Law, we are implementing another component from the coalition agreement that advances us in climate protection," said Hermann in response to an inquiry from the German Press Agency. The law defines guidelines for sustainable, climate-friendly, efficient, and reliable mobility.

The law, among other things, creates the basis for the introduction of a so-called mobility pass. With this, the state wants to give municipalities the opportunity to finance the expansion of public transport through a local transport levy.

In return for the levy, citizens must receive a credit for the use of local public transport. They could redeem this for the purchase of season tickets. However, to introduce the mobility pass, an adequate public transport offer must already be in place.

"We have prepared this instrument with studies and pilot projects, now is the time for binding regulations," said Hermann.

CDU: Patchwork quilt would not have fit the times

Under pressure from the CDU, the Mobility Pass was also scaled back. In the first draft of the law, one option for municipalities included a city toll and a levy for employers. Now, only residents or vehicle owners are to be charged. 

The CDU faction's spokesperson for transport policy, Thomas Dörflinger, spoke of a significantly leaner law.

"A patchwork quilt of various charges and additional burdens for employers would not have fit the times."