In the spirit of traffic change

• Officials meeting of the State Transport Agency in Tyrol: Various resolutions were passed to strengthen the environmental network
• “Deutsches Eck” is a cross-state challenge and opportunity
• Public transport and the transition to zero-emission drivers and the expansion of cycle paths are focal points.
• Fair allocation of fines on state roads B and strengthening of road maintenance

This Friday, the State Transport Conference took place at the Country House in Innsbruck under the leadership of the State Transport Council of Tyrol. René Zumtobel instead. The agenda for the political representatives of the nine federal states contained approximately 40 agenda items, including several projects to strengthen the environmental network (public transport, cycling and walking) and the perception of transport change. The conference was followed by a joint press conference LR Zumtobel and the State Mobility Council of Upper Austria Gunther Steinkellner instead.

“I took today’s conference once again as an opportunity to draw the attention of my colleagues to the massive traffic problem in Tyrol. As is well known, it affects truck traffic through Tyrol, but also the ever-increasing burden of private transport. I am pleased that my colleagues from other federal states have joined me. .The expansion of public transport and the development of the entire ecological network require common goals and inter-state efforts, because transport does not end at state borders,” he said. LR Jumtobel.

Problem case “German corner”: LR Zumtobel demands more influence from ÖBB

Although on German territory, the “German corner” is crucial for the link between Tyrol and Salzburg, without detours from east to west – and back. However, several upcoming renovation projects by Deutsche Bahn (DB) will cause significant restrictions and regular delays in rail traffic for years to come. LR So Zumdobel today called for a merger between Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Austrian Federal Railways (Federal Railways).ÖBB) to ensure the best possible connections during construction and to ensure and speed up rail traffic in this segment with the involvement of affected countries. “The construction of the northern entrance to the Brenner Base Tunnel on the Bavarian side has great potential. The cross-over integration of the Salzburg-Rosenheim line will reduce the travel time between Innsbruck and Vienna to less than four hours. Regarding the upcoming renovation work on the German railway, there will be a strong influence ÖBB Route allocation is urgently needed in the German corner. “Due to the obvious urgency, a meeting of relevant stakeholders should be held as soon as possible to develop appropriate plans that provide short-term alternatives and long-term improvements to commuters,” it said. LR Jumtobel.

Strengthening road maintenance and fair collection of fines

Austria’s public road network currently covers approximately 128,000 kilometers, including 2,260 kilometers of motorways and expressways, 33,800 kilometers of state roads and 92,000 kilometers of municipal roads. Investment in road maintenance and expansion has continued to decline since the turn of the millennium, leading to a significant decline in road capital stocks. “Road infrastructure in Austria represents important lifelines that connect people to each other. Between 2010 and 2020, the inflation-adjusted real street capital stock fell by around 11.4 percent. “This growth puts the state’s transport safety and economic efficiency at risk,” believes Günter Steinkellner, Upper Austria’s Provincial Councilor for Mobility. .

Therefore, re-introduce allocation of central government’s share of revenue from mineral oil tax and allocation of fines to ensure and maintain road network. “The road is a central element for the Austrian economy, supporting a high level of prosperity in our country. “In addition, it is an essential basis for the ecological network – such as regional and city buses, public transport such as cycling and pedestrian transport and waterways, the rail infrastructure network and feeders for airports. is,” insists. LR stone worker Since Federal Highways B was transferred to the federal states in 2002, the financial cushion measures of the federal government have been removed. The current rule that all fines on State Roads B go to the Central Government is to be changed.

Mobility in Transition: Shifting Public Transport to Low Emission Drivers

Targets to switch public transport from diesel-powered buses to low-emission buses Or. Zero-emission vehicles are already clearly defined in the federal states, for example in the Tyrolean decarbonization strategy. Covering all bus kilometers in Tyrol with electric vehicles by 2036, as planned, requires federal funding. With the help of so-called EBIN funding (Emission-Free Buses and Infrastructure), the first vehicles have already been purchased, most recently three electric buses in the Tyrolean Oberland. “We once again called on the responsible federal ministry at today’s conference to ensure long-term EBIN funding. The transition to climate-friendly drives in public transport can only be achieved with federal funding – it is not possible for the federal states alone,” it explains. LR Jumtobel.

Prosecution of speeders of all nationalities

For a long time, prosecuting drivers with foreign license plates for speeding in Austria was not very effective. The CBE (Cross Border Enforcement) system has been active in Austria since 2015. This system facilitates cross-border exchange of information. If the traffic violation is committed by a foreign driver, the registration data of the vehicle and its owner register can be queried using the CBE system. An anonymous result is then sent. In Upper Austria alone more than one million speeding violations are recorded every year. “Everyone is equal before the radar. Speeding will get you caught. While locals are subject to a stricter protocol for collecting fines, foreign speeders are more likely to be prosecuted. Strict measures in the interests of justice and equality are the order of the day. Foreign speeders should be asked to pay just like Austrians,” said Upper Austria’s state transport councilor Steinkellner.

Push forward the change to Rails

Both the states and the central government are committed to shifting freight transport to rail. For example, rail transport is already legally mandated when transporting waste. From the start of this year, all waste transport over 200 kilometers must be carried out by rail – a further reduction compared to 2023. The number of kilometers will be further limited in future. Action is needed here: On the one hand, the federal states are actively working to improve rail transport and expand it within their sphere of influence. Or. Reactivation of terminals and laterals Or. – Progression paths. At the same time, states are now unanimously calling on the central government to create long-term financing opportunities for companies. “As long as there is no real cost on the road, transport by rail currently means not only more logistical effort but also higher costs. In Tyrol this year’s financial support is already with the state’s personal car subsidy. However, more long-term effective measures are needed to achieve our relocation targets and ensure planning security for companies. . LR Zumtobel hopes for swift implementation at the federal level.

Reorganization of student transport

States are committed to restructuring student transport. Processing is currently carried out through complex structures involving the Federal Chancellery and the Federal Ministry of Labour, Family and Youth. These transports are funded from FLAF (Family Load Equalization Fund). It is the intention of the state transport authorities to involve the states through their respective transport association bodies at an early stage in the planning and implementation of the rehabilitation of these transports. Reform of student transport will generate efficiency benefits, particularly for areas with adequate public transport links. More efficient operation planning should reduce long-term conflicts between regular and occasional services and reduce costs.

There is a need to simplify and flexibilize funding for the cycle track network

But there is also the possibility of climate-friendly and environmentally friendly travel outside of public transport: the bike is an integral part of the daily life of many Tyroleans. This is not least through the country’s census. About 14 percent of daily trips are already made by bike. When expanding cycle lanes, municipalities receive financial support from the central government’s klimaaktiv mobil fund. In today’s decision, state transport officials are calling on the central ministry in charge to make the existing too-narrow funding criteria more flexible so that communities can more easily implement cycle routes tailored to their respective topographical conditions. At the same time, the bureaucratic effort involved in implementation funding currently presents many communities with major challenges and therefore hinders the rapid expansion of necessary cycling infrastructure. Here too, transport officials see an urgent need for reform.