What is the mobility pass and what does it mean for public transport?
In Baden-Württemberg, local authorities discussed the benefits of introducing a mobility pass as a potential financing instrument for local public transport.
Many local authorities are experiencing financial bottlenecks due to rising expenditure, such as the Deutschlandticket.
The Baden Württemberg Ministry of Transport has calculated that an additional levy would generate millions in revenue that could be invested in transport infrastructure.
Which municipalities in Baden-Württemberg are taking part?
The city of Karlsruhe, the city of Freiburg and the Ortenau district are currently in the process of working out the details and legal basis for the introduction of a mobility pass as three pioneering municipalities.
Transport Minister Winfried Hermann (Bündnis90 / Die Grünen) describes the mobility pass as “an invitation to use environmentally friendly public transport and at the same time helps to finance its expansion.”
The coalition agreement between the Greens and CDU includes the initiative as part of the Public Transport Strategy 2030.
Three pioneering municipalities as model regions for the mobility pass
Such a pass brings with it a number of advantages and disadvantages for the municipalities.
The city council group “Freie Wähler” and the voters’ group “FÜR Karlsruhe” have given this issue some thought and have identified three potential advantages and three potential disadvantages that should be taken into account during discussions.
Advantages of the mobility pass for Karlsruhe
Sustainable financing of local public transport by introducing the mobility pass
Introducing the mobility pass means a broader financial basis and millions of euros per year for bus and rail.
The different variants, such as resident contribution, employer contribution, vehicle owner contribution or road user charge, create a diverse financing structure that does not target individuals.
Financing would be borne by a broad section of the population and not burden a single group.
Also, higher costs would not be borne solely by travelers through higher ticket prices.
However, according to the city administration’s announcements, the new levy could also be imposed on just one group: So only employees or only car drivers would have to pay the financial impact of a local transport levy.
This would turn the advantage into its opposite (see Disadvantage: Financial burden of new charges).
Relieving congestion on Karlsruhe’s roads by increasing mobility on the rails
The promotion of local public transport through the mobility pass helps to relieve congestion on the roads, which is particularly important in large cities such as Karlsruhe and Freiburg.
Increased use of local public transport can help to reduce traffic in the city if travel comfort on public transport is increased.
Expansion of local public transport in the Lank districts
According to the Ministry’s calculations, the quality of local public transport can be sustainably improved with the new funding.
Many citizens avoid public transport because delays and a lack of travel comfort have become the norm.
More financial resources can counteract this if more money is accompanied by a restructuring of public transport.
Districts face major challenges when it comes to expanding public transport and could use financial support.
Disadvantages of the mobility pass for Karlsruhe
Financial burden of local transport levy
The introduction of a road user charge in particular could mean an additional financial burden for individuals: Residents, motorists, employers would be affected by additional costs.
According to the announcements of the Karlsruhe city administration, the entire levy could fall on one group, which would be an unfair distribution of the financial burden.
It is important to ensure that the financial impact on citizens is fair and proportionate.
The new revenues must also ensure that the additional expenditure is actually covered.
If the state government and the federal government pull out of the project, the city will be left with the resulting deficit.
It is also questionable whether a further levy on citizens is the right solution in times of rising food prices, rents and energy costs.
Implementation challenges for the state and local authorities and rural areas
The introduction of the mobility pass requires complex implementation and coordination between various stakeholders.
It is important to ensure that implementation runs smoothly in order to minimize potential bureaucratic hurdles.
If there are already signs of an increase in bureaucracy in the model regions for the mobility pass, then the design must be rethought or stopped.
If you want to be part of the three pioneering municipalities, you need to communicate clearly about the mobility pass
Comprehensive information campaigns are necessary to promote acceptance and understanding of the mobility pass.
These must ensure that citizens understand the advantages of the new financing instrument and recognize their participation as a contribution to sustainable mobility.
Higher charges without explaining their background would have a negative impact on the social climate.
The expansion of bus and rail services is a socially desirable undertaking.
However, if transport companies fail to make improvements even though a new levy has been imposed, the state and local authorities must be prepared to take responsibility.
Conclusion on the mobility pass and the local transport levy
The city council group of the Free Voters and the voters’ group “FÜR Karlsruhe” is waiting for concrete proposals from the city administration. The decision on the introduction of the mobility pass and Karlsruhe as a model city must be approved by the municipal council. The city administration and Lord Mayor Frank Mentrup therefore need good arguments for a new tax that affects citizens. The amount of the levy must be clear, the costs for technology and administration must be covered, the financial burden must be distributed fairly and a clear expansion of local public transport must be achieved. The municipalities in the country must benefit. The inhabitants of a municipality must support the initiative. Only under these conditions would the city council group consider the new financing instrument for local public transport as a real possibility.
