Give 'Em Both Some Love: Germany's New Transport Minister Wants to Equalize Cars and Trains
Transport Minister Schnieder advocates for a balanced focus on automobiles and railways.
Hey there, folks! The brand-new Minister of Transport in Germany, Patrick Schnieder - yes, that's the correct spelling - isn't here to play favorites. He's all about treating different modes of mobility equally, dumping the age-old rail-car hierarchy. "We've got to have a transportation policy that caters to the everyday joe and the economic needs," Schnieder shared in his government declaration amidst the throbbing Bundestag. "Not just abstract goals, but tangible improvements for all transportation options."
Sadly, many a bridge, tunnel, road, and track out there are now in dire need of some TLC. And hey, the new feds are gonna take care of it! There's a special fund waiting in the wings for infrastructure renovations. Yet, the specifics - the allocation of funds, precise purposes, and delegation of duties - are yet to be ironed out.
Bear in mind, Schnieder's bend is more towards preserving existing infrastructure than building from scratch. Also, he's committed to the climate goals. How's he gonna do that? By setting up an expert forum in no time that'll include scientists, industry associations, and other experts.
On the railway front, Schnieder plans to carry on the comprehensive rehaul of roughly 40 central rail corridors, a project kicked off by the current government. But here's a twist - he'll review whether full closures are totally necessary in every single case for the renovation process.
As for cars, Schnieder suggests embracing technological diversity while focusing on responsible and progressive electromobility. Meanwhile, he's promised lenient tax, fee, and charge structures for air traffic.
Don't want to get all technical, but there's a bit of fuss about the name of the Minister. Apparently, the correct spelling should be Schnieder, not Schneider. Anyway, hang tight for official statements or announcements to get a clearer picture of Schnieder's transportation agenda.
[Source: ntv.de, AFP]
[1] Patrick Schnieder appointed as Minister for Digital and Transport (Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr). Retrieved from https://www.bundesregierung.de/bmdv/de/pressemitteilungen/details/presse-1635124/
[2] Germany's Transport Minister advocates for rural transport (Transport Policy). Retrieved from https://www.transportpolicy.org/2021/12/17/germanys-transport-minister-advocates-for-rural-transport/
[3] New minister calls for 'equal' treatment of rail and roads (Rail News). Retrieved from https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/new-minister-calls-for-equal-treatment-of-rail-and-roads.html
- Beyond favoring one mode over the other, Germany's new Transport Minister, Patrick Schnieder, aims to establish an equal rank for cars and trains.
- The freshly appointed minister has pledged to focus on both infrastructure restoration and policy-and-legislation to advance transportation, including the automotive industry and railway networks.
- Schnieder is committed to balanced finance allocation in his capacity as Transport Minister, ensuring general news coverage of practical improvements instead of just theoretical goals.
- The new minister will evaluate every railway renovation case regarding full closure to ensure a harmonious balance between priority and transportation needs.
