The voters’ group FÜR Karlsruhe in Karlsruhe City Council is firmly opposed to the planned investment of 32 million euros for the construction of the new Turmbergbahn. Against the backdrop of the city’s financial emergency with a foreseeable debt of one billion euros in 2025 and the pressing challenges in the social and infrastructural areas, the group of voters sees this expenditure as irresponsible.
The current Turmbergbahn’s operating license expires at the end of 2024. However, the planned modernization and extension of the cable car, despite expected state funding, will burden the city with considerable costs in the long term. In addition to the construction costs of 32 million euros, there are also annual follow-up costs for interest payments and maintenance costs of over one million euros, which will further strain the city’s budget.
“At a time of financial constraints, when many necessary social and urban projects are on the back burner. This investment is a luxury that we should not afford. In addition, we still have no clarity as to what impact the lack of a federal budget will have on the city’s funded projects,” criticizes City Councillor Friedemann Kalmbach (FÜR Karlsruhe).
Councillor Kalmbach appeals for the new building to be reconsidered and for alternative, cost-efficient solutions for public transport and the Turmberg connection to be examined instead. “It’s about the future of our city – and that should be characterized by foresight and responsibility”
