Politics Financing Our Transportation Needs
One thing was clear, even before the EU tightened its climate protection goals again. That means that the future federal government must drive the transition to mobility.
A few weeks before the federal elections, VDV asked political decision-makers about their position on urgent public transport and mobility issues.
VDV and Politicians
As in 2017, VDV sought views on transportation policy issues before the upcoming federal elections in the fall. Therefore, one of the biggest challenges of the next legislative session is to implement the EU’s strict climate protection goals. 94% of those surveyed who participated in the latest VDV survey see this.
By 2030
CO 2 emissions will be reduced by at least 55% compared to 1990. A larger proportion of politicians will work to increase the federal funding needed for new construction and expansion of rail transport over the next four years.
There was a great agreement among all concerned that local public transport, including rail freight transport, and rail will become more important in the coming years. On the other hand, with this government, the media and many are skeptical about flat-rate reductions and free tickets when it comes to financing.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
By 2050, Europe will be the first climate-neutral continent. The European Green Deal is an important project. To this end, the EU’s climate goals have become stricter. By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by at least 55% instead of 40% compared to 1990. The transport sector (one of the biggest obstacles to strengthening climate protection so far) needs to reduce emissions by 53%.
After 30 years, transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 90%. By strengthening buses and trains, new sustainable mobility services, car services, intelligent traffic management, and providing mobility as a mutually networked service through the platform.
Public transport
The EU’s climate protection goals are strengthened if public transport as a central element of the mobility transition is strengthened by doubling the number of passengers by 2030 and gaining at least 25% of the market share of rail freight transport. Can only be achieved.
Therefore, implementing a master plan for rail and rail freight transport is an important task in the next election period. The decline in public transport passenger numbers due to travel reasons and the removal of protection regulations needs to increase rapidly again.
Before the Covid Crisis
More and more people have switched to buses and trains. To be able to track existing infrastructure for mobility turnarounds, existing infrastructure needs to be updated, expanded, and barrier-free.
In the future, there is an urgent need to significantly expand the capacity and provision of public transport to enable more people to be transported in a climate-friendly way. As a result, the additional operating costs of the shipping company are high and are not incurred by ticket revenue alone.
Climate protection
Customer-oriented, sustainable, and climate-friendly public transport requires adequate funding. To ensure this in the long run and enable further growth, existing financing tools need to be further developed and complemented in targeted ways to protect the climate.