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Road Traffic Law: Agreement in Mediation Committee - More Leeway for Municipalities

(dpa) The renovation of railway lines should be prioritized, digitalization strengthened, and the costs of substitute rail services shared. With the StVG reform, municipalities are also to be given more leeway on matters such as 30 km/h speed limits or bus lanes. In addition to safety and the ease of traffic, environmental, health, and urban development concerns are also addressed. The associations Allianz Pro Schiene and ADFC welcome the resolutions.

In certain zones, municipalities should be able to more easily establish 30 km/h zones in the future, but only in sections and not comprehensively. | Photo: ADAC
In certain zones, municipalities should be able to more easily establish 30 km/h zones in the future, but only in sections and not comprehensively. | Photo: ADAC
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Renovation of the Rail Network, Reforms in Road Traffic Law, Digitalization of Administration: The Mediation Committee of the Bundesrat and Bundestag reached agreements on several legislative proposals on Wednesday evening. This was announced by Bundesrat President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) following the meeting in Berlin. The legislative chamber had previously stalled the proposals. The planned changes still need to be approved by both the Bundestag and Bundesrat. The legislative chamber will meet on Friday. Schwesig emphasized that the Mediation Committee does not block but solves problems in the interests of the citizens.

Renovation of Railway Lines for Punctual Trains

With a reform of the Federal Railway Infrastructure Expansion Act, the federal government will in the future also be able to directly participate in the costs of maintenance and upkeep of the rail network - not just construction projects. The legislation is key for the general renovation of important railway lines. By the year 2030, the railway plans to fundamentally renovate 40 heavily trafficked routes to become more punctual and reliable again. It will start in July of this year on the Riedbahn between Frankfurt and Mannheim, which will be closed for almost half a year for this purpose.

“This marks a paradigm shift in the rail infrastructure of the Federal Republic of Germany. Nothing will remain as it is and that’s a good thing,” said Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP).

This will now allow measures to improve the rail infrastructure to be implemented to ensure train punctuality once again. FDP deputy faction leader Carina Konrad called it a good signal for rail customers. SPD deputy faction leader Detlef Müller said it is urgently necessary to invest, but also to maintain, repair, and renovate.

Cost Dispute Settled

There was a dispute between the federal and state governments over who would pay for replacement bus service. According to a proposed amendment, the states should bear 50 percent of the cost of the replacement service, the federal government 40 percent, and the railway 10 percent. Additionally, the federal government should be able to contribute more to infrastructure costs in the digitalization of railways, which also includes equipping trains with digital onboard technology. It should also become easier for the federal government to financially contribute to the renovation of railway stations. This should also happen in the course of general renovation.

“For decades, Deutsche Bahn had to largely finance its station buildings through rental income. This led to station buildings being sold or in poor condition if rental income was insufficient. In the future, the federal government will assume financial responsibility for the buildings; the railway for individual, commercially used interiors." Now the way is clear for an investment offensive, judges the managing director of the Allianz pro Schiene, Dirk Flege.

Agreement also on Traffic Law

The Road Traffic Act aims to give cities and municipalities more leeway for measures such as the establishment of bus lanes and 30 km/h zones. In future, in addition to the fluidity and safety of traffic, objectives related to climate and environmental protection, health, and urban development are also to be taken into account.

The safety aspect is now to be strengthened. The law passed by the Bundestag stated that, in addition to improving environmental protection, health protection, or supporting urban development, the safety and ease of traffic should also be considered - in the amendment proposal for the mediation committee, it is stated that the ease of traffic must be considered, and the safety of traffic must not be impaired. “What we have had so far is not acceptable.” Wissing spoke, for example, of legal uncertainties regarding whether a 30 km/h zone could be established in front of a daycare center.

“Now municipalities finally have more leeway to allocate more space to buses, cyclists, and pedestrians, thereby significantly improving safety on site,” believes Green Party parliamentary leader Katharina Dröge.

Caroline Lodemann, Federal Managing Director of ADFC, welcomed the step and said it was good that the federal states and the Bundestag had finally found a viable compromise for amending the Road Traffic Act after months of struggle.

“Modernizing the StVG is essential so that cities and villages can establish bike lanes and order 30 km/h zones without excessive bureaucratic hurdles. The amendment thus simultaneously strengthens traffic safety and the quality of life in municipalities. Now it is important to maintain the willingness to compromise – and to get the modernized StVG through the Bundestag and Bundesrat as quickly as possible,” Lodemann continued.

Translated automatically from German.
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