Dispute over tram: CSU blocks Munich's local transport reversal

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Current traffic policy in Bavaria faces a major challenge: the withdrawal of the CSU from the planned tram route through the English garden in Munich not only flattened the city's mobility plans, but also rekindled the discussion about the future of local public transport in the region.

resistance to local transport expansion

The Munich Transport Society (MVG) had to accept a bitter disappointment in March of this year when the Bavarian state government withdrew its consent to the construction of the tram line in 2017. The CSU explains that its decision is motivated by concerns about the visual integrity of the English garden. Critics, on the other hand,, in particular from the ranks of the SPD and the Greens, consider this as an expression of hostility to technology and as an obstacle on the way to a modern transport policy. Nikolaus Gradl, spokesman for traffic in the SPD/VOTT faction in the Munich town hall, was disappointed with the decision: "The CSU carries the golden veal through the city."

The importance of the project for the city

The plans that came to a standstill were an essential part of the desired north tangent, which was to be a strategic connection between Neuhausen and Bogenhausen. This route should not only improve the efficiency of public transport, but also reduce the dependency on private transport. The implementation would have promised both ecological and economic advantages, since trams are usually cheaper in implementation than subway systems. The aim was to make local transport more powerful and attractive in a growing city.

ideological barriers and nationwide effects

The CSU not only sees itself in Munich, but also in other Bavarian cities. In Regensburg, a citizens' request supported by the CSU led to a lighting rail project rejected, which at risk of the public transport expansion. Similar developments also took place in Erlangen, where the CSU mobilized against a planned city-circular railway. Although large companies and environmental groups advocated expansion, the party seems to be blocking for ideological reasons.

expert opinions contradict CSU position

traffic experts like Heiner Monheim are concerned about this attitude of the CSU. He argues that the CSU leads not only Munich, but all of Bavaria into a traffic policy dead end. He emphasizes that cities like Paris and Karlsruhe not only improve air quality by expanding their tram nets, but also recorded a higher number of passengers. These positive effects are strongly contrasted with the concerns of the CSU and require a rethink, especially considering the pressing climate goals.

The way forward

The Bavarian Ministry of Transport nevertheless emphasized that public transport has to play a central role in future mobility. On the other hand, department head Markus Söder has shown that he is ready to react flexibly to different projects. It remains questionable whether its support for future tram projects is sufficient to stop the progressive negative trend and to promote the necessary traffic in Bavaria.

The discussion about the expansion of local transport not only shows the profound differences between political parties, but also illustrates the need for a modern, future -oriented transport policy that focuses on all citizens in Bavaria.

- Nag