There is a new dispute about the driving ban for old diesel vehicles in the environmental zone within the Mittlerer Ring and on the Ring, which will apply from February: The CSU/Free Voters faction accuses the green-red majority of the city council of “shameless rip-off” with the special permits that should cost 200 euros for a whole year. “The city issues a socially unjust ban and also enriches itself from it,” criticized parliamentary group leader Manuel Pretzl. “Green-Red collects from those who can’t afford a new car but still have to go to the city.”
SPD/Volt faction leader Anne Hübner immediately contradicted this: “The CSU is suggesting false facts. There is no charge for the vast majority of exceptions because they will be covered by a general decree.” The district administration department (KVR) also pointed out that the signage exempts residents and delivery traffic from the diesel driving ban. In addition, large groups such as taxi drivers, severely disabled people and medical emergencies are also not affected by the ban, so there are no costs for these groups. The fees for exceptions in individual cases have been continued at the level previously applicable for the environmental zone, but are now being subjected to a critical review.
The SPD/Volt parliamentary group considers the fees to be “significantly too high”. Green City Councilor Florian Roth announced that a correction should be made before the new regulation comes into force in order to avoid individual hardship as far as possible.