2023-11-29 19:34:20
Unanimity also on administrative simplifications for concession changes in scheduled motor vehicle transport
Vienna (PK) – In accordance with the goal of expanding and improving public transport in and around metropolitan areas set out in the current government program, the tram expansion in Graz is now to be supported with funds from the “public transport billion for local transport”. The Transportation Committee today unanimously voted in favor of a corresponding special purpose grant from the federal government of around €38 million. The MPs also unanimously approved another government proposal on administrative simplifications for concession changes in scheduled motor vehicle transport.
Numerous motions from the opposition on transport issues were postponed or rejected with the votes of the ÖVP and the Greens.
Special purpose grant from the federal government for tram projects in Graz
In Graz, tram expansion projects are planned to be built between 2022 and 2027. The total costs of €76.33 million are to be borne equally by the federal government and half by the municipality of Graz. The federal government’s financial contribution for the construction period is therefore €38.165 million. Since no 15a agreements can be concluded with municipalities, the implementation of the federal subsidy in accordance with the financial constitution is carried out in this case on the basis of a separate special purpose subsidy law (2304 d.B.) regulated. As can be seen from the explanations of the law, the municipality of Graz has already agreed to the obligations contained in this law by resolution of the city senate on January 27, 2023.
The project is a milestone for Graz and, as a major project, will entail unbundling in the city center and an expansion of lines 1 and 5, said Environment and Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler. A significant expansion of the Styrian S-Bahn is planned for 2025; the potential for transfers within the city will only be achieved with this improvement in quality. The overall aim is to increase the market share of people who use public transport, especially for traffic that crosses city limits.
Joachim Schnabel (ÖVP) pointed out the “eye of the needle” in Graz’s Herrengasse when it comes to the unbundling of the city center. He was convinced that this package would take us to the next stage of tram transport. In communication, it would be important for him, among other things, to point out more specifically that the federal government is co-financing. Hermann Weratschnig (Greens) referred to the recommendations of the Court of Auditors, which had clearly stated how important it was to integrate regional transport planning. This is being implemented very well here for Graz. According to Katharina Werner (NEOS), the NEOS have been very committed to expanding the tram in Graz. However, this should not end at the city limits, as there is also great potential for further expansion.
However, Maximilian Lercher and committee chairman Alois Stöger (both SPÖ) questioned the implementation using the special purpose grant law as a “game changer” for other regions, as Lercher put it. Minister Gewessler explained that there has been a long-standing discussion about whether and how the federal government can support supra-regional public transport networks. So far this has only been possible through private railway financing, with a mainline railway being more expensive than a tram. The issue of shared use of railway tracks is also an important issue in the inner city, said the minister. An instrument has now been created for Graz, but the basic criteria have not been changed.
Administrative simplifications for concession changes in scheduled motor vehicle transport
An amendment to the Motor Vehicle Routes Act is essentially aimed at simplifying administration for stop permits for non-commercial transport services that are ordered as part of public service contracts (2308 d.B.). In the future, stop permits should be automatically transferred to new concession holders. This reduces administrative effort and saves companies costs. Until now, every time a new license was granted, a new approval process was necessary, as Minister Gewessler explained. The issuing of shared use permits should also be partially eliminated.
The amendment also includes the possibility of ordering shared taxis via communication services and provides for more flexibility in operating times. As part of the amendment, the reporting obligations of motor carriers regarding vehicles, kilometers traveled and passengers are to be limited to international scheduled services. Furthermore, the department names should be updated and gender-appropriate adjustments made. The MPs unanimously gave the green light to the project in the committee.
Accessibility at Ernsthofen train station
Alois Schroll (SPÖ) has submitted a petition to improve the infrastructure at Ernsthofen train station (Lower Austria), specifically for barrier-free access to the platforms (116/PET). Railway tracks 1 and 2 can only be reached through an underpass – without an elevator – and can therefore not be used or can only be used with difficulty for people with strollers or wheelchairs. According to an EU directive, there is a right to accessibility, it is claimed. ÖVP mandater Andreas Hanger also has a petition for accessibility at Ernsthofen train station (118/PET) before. The two initiatives were assigned by the Petitions Committee to the Transport Committee for consideration. Lukas Brandweiner spoke out for a postponement on behalf of the ÖVP, which the Greens also agreed to. Austria is at the top when it comes to accessibility, says Brandweiner. As far as this train station is concerned, the state of Lower Austria will be contacted for discussions.
SPÖ wants to prevent toll bypass traffic
SPÖ traffic spokesman Alois Stöger is making a new push for a regulation to avoid toll evasion. He is in favor of allowing the state governors to set a mileage-dependent and time-dependent toll on certain sections of roads that are not federal highways (336/A). In his view, this could prevent the creation of bypass traffic on toll routes.
Only the SPÖ approved the motion, meaning it remained in the minority. While Hermann Weratschnig (Greens) identified a jurisdictional problem in the proposal, Christian Hafenecker (FPÖ) and Andreas Ottenschläger (ÖVP) spoke out against further “tolling”. From Ottenschläger’s point of view, a procedure as set out in the application would lead to a “patchwork” in the toll and to a possible further displacement of traffic.
SPÖ: Motorhomes up to 7.5 tons can be charged tolls using a vignette
The SPÖ believes that the current form of tolling for mobile homes in the 3.5 to 7.5 ton weight class requires a GO box and is therefore not very practical. It therefore calls for mobile homes in this weight class to be excluded from the kilometer-dependent toll and instead to create a cost-covering, flat-rate toll via vignette (3707/A(E)). That would also be important for the safety of lower-ranking streets, said Dietmar Keck (SPÖ). The motion was postponed with the votes of the ÖVP and the Greens, with the ÖVP pointing to an evaluation of the latest amendment to the vignette toll in Austria planned for 2025.
SPÖ: Make it easier to impose 30 km/h restrictions in front of kindergartens and schools
Alois Stöger (SPÖ) has also submitted an initiative proposal for the road traffic regulations (StVO), which is intended to give the authorities a better way to regulate 30 km/h restrictions in front of schools, kindergartens and after-school care centers (2884/A). He suggests that the Road Traffic Act be supplemented with a provision that, when weighing up interests, priority should be given to the safety of the person in sensitive areas, such as the surroundings of educational institutions.
The ÖVP and the Greens spoke out in favor of postponing this motion. According to Hermann Weratschnig (Greens), a solution to the important issue of traffic safety in sensitive areas in towns is being worked on. While Christian Hafenecker (FPÖ) believes there is already a possible solution in the form of school streets, Helmut Brandstätter (NEOS) and Klaus Köchl (SPÖ) pushed for quick measures to improve safety. The corresponding draft for sensitive areas goes beyond the present application and should also take into account facilities for people with disabilities or older people, said Andreas Ottenschläger (ÖVP), promising that it will be submitted for review soon.
SPÖ advocates insolvency protection for driving schools
In addition, Alois Stöger (SPÖ) points out that driving school insolvencies particularly affect young people who want to obtain a driving license. In an initiative proposal for the Motor Vehicle Act, he therefore proposes an insurance model, as is also common for package tours. Driving school owners would be legally obliged to ensure, by means of appropriate insurance or guarantees, that payments already made would be reimbursed if the training was not provided in whole or in part as a result of the company’s insolvency (3475/A). Rebecca Kirchbaumer (ÖVP) justified the postponement by the ÖVP and the Greens by saying that the trade association was working on a solution. In addition, the problem only affects very few people.
FPÖ: CO2 tax is an instrument of inflation
From the perspective of FPÖ transport spokesman Christian Hafenecker, taxing CO2 massively fuels inflation and places a heavy burden on the population. By September 2023, the finance minister had already made €588 million from the CO2 tax. In a motion for a resolution, Hafenecker calls on the Finance Minister and the Climate Protection Minister to submit a legal text to the National Council to abolish the CO2 tax (3712/A(E)). The motion was postponed by the ÖVP and the Greens. Hermann Weratschnig (Greens) pointed out, on the one hand, the climate bonus as compensation, and on the other hand, steering through the CO2 tax is necessary for climate protection. The negative incentive of the tax is important, said Katharina Werner (NEOS), although in times of high inflation we also have to talk about adapting positions.
FPÖ is pushing for planning to begin on the Lueg Tunnel project
FPÖ MP Gerald Hauser believes it is urgent to consider the “Lueg Tunnel” project at the same time as the necessary renovation of the Lueg Bridge. This is the only way to ensure that when the bridge needs to be renovated again, the option of a tunnel solution is also possible. In a resolution, Hauser therefore calls on Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler to initiate the “Tunnel Lueg” project immediately (3665/A(E)). This motion was also postponed with the votes of the ÖVP and the Greens. Joachim Schnabel (ÖVP) pointed out a long-term approval process for the Lueg Bridge, where there have already been multiple objections.
NEOS demand full accessibility for train travel
Johannes Margreiter and Fiona Fiedler (both NEOS) are calling for barrier-free trains and stations. Traveling by train is still characterized by numerous obstacles for people with disabilities, they state in a motion for a resolution (2703/A(E)), which, however, was also postponed by the ÖVP and the Greens. The ÖBB mobility service, which is intended to ensure inclusion in rail transport, is now an outdated and inflexible system, especially since many train stations still do not meet the demands that people with disabilities place on them, according to the applicants. Like Astrid Rössler (Greens), Minister Gewessler pointed out a phased plan by the ÖBB for accessibility. For example, when purchasing new trains, accessibility is a must, which also gradually improves the existing stock, says Gewessler. (Conclusion of the Transport Committee) mbu
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