In the fight against the existential crisis of local transport, the transport ministers of the federal states are calling for new billion-euro aid from the federal government. Because of the corona pandemic, deficits of 1.5 to 1.7 billion euros have been predicted for the coming year, warned Baden-Württemberg’s Transport Minister Winfried Hermann (Greens) on Friday after a conference of the state transport ministers. “However, we expect the number to be significantly higher,” said Hermann. The state ministers are therefore calling on the new federal government to extend the financial aid for the industry until next year. The previous commitments expire at the end of this year.
The Association of German Transport Companies recently predicted losses of billions for 2022 as well. Because of the rapidly increasing incidences, buses and trains are currently significantly emptier again in many regions of the country. “The fourth Corona wave is rolling, and it is clear that the financial situation of the transport companies will remain tense in the coming year”, explained VDV General Manager Oliver Wolff. Tourist travel in areas with a high incidence is currently limited, warned Thuringia’s Minister of Infrastructure Susanna Karawanskij (Left). “We have to ensure the survival of the company.”
The new wave of the corona pandemic is also causing problems in a major European project: the mandatory exchange of driving licenses. By 2033 there should only be one format in the European Union to prevent counterfeiting. By January 19, 2022, those born between 1953 and 1958 in Germany have to exchange their paper driving license for a card format. If you miss the deadline, you face fines.
Instead of a driver’s license at 16, the transport ministers want to extend the probationary period first
However, due to the pandemic, the authorities in many regions of the country could currently not provide enough dates for exchanges, warned the transport ministers on Friday. According to the plans of the ministerial conference, the fines are to be suspended or the deadlines extended by six months.
The transport ministers could not agree on a driver’s license for 16-year-olds on Friday. In principle, they advocated lowering the minimum age for accompanied driving from 17 to 16 years. At the same time, however, existing driving license requirements for novice drivers are to be tightened. “In view of the increased risk of accidents among young people, we believe that extending the probationary period from two to three years is the right way to ensure more safety,” said Schleswig-Holstein’s head of department Bernd Buchholz (FDP).
However, the department heads still saw many unanswered questions that should now be clarified by the spring of next year. The national conference asked the Federal Ministry of Transport to tackle a comprehensive reform and to set up a federal-state working group. They want to make a decision at their spring conference.