BUND rejects giant truck: EVG demands more support for rail

support for rail freight transport in the focus

The current developments in European traffic will also skill lightly on the challenges of rail freight transport in Germany. The Railway and Transport Guard (EVG) has decided against the approval of giant trucks. The decision was significantly influenced by considerations of traffic safety and the effects on the infrastructure.

Important decision for traffic safety

The Federal Ministry of Transport announced that the increase in truck weights in the European Council was rejected. This decision is based on the argument that it could have negative effects on the safety of bridges and the general traffic infrastructure. The minister said: "With the expansion of the weights, the weight of the bridges would massively intervene." This shows how important it is to take the possible risks in the traffic area seriously.

EVG calls for targeted measures

Martin Burkert, the chairman of the EVG, expressed a positive statement about the rejection of the giant trucks and underlined the dangers that arise from these heavy transporters. "Giant trucks are not only harmful to climate and dangerous, they also destroy public investments in billions of billions," said Burkert. Instead, the union calls for increased promotion of rail freight transport, in particular by increasing the promotion of routes.

Financial challenges of rail economy

With a planned increase in rail toll by 16 percent from 2025, companies in freight transport must expect significant cost increases. This could endanger many traffic and thus jeopardize jobs in the industry. In order to counteract these developments, the EVG calls for an increase in the promotion of routes by 100 million euros in order to counteract the current price increases.

The relevance for the future of traffic

The current measures and claims of the EVG are crucial for the preservation of a competitive rail freight transport. "The climate -friendly rail freight traffic must remain competitive, otherwise a wave of shift threatens from the rail back onto the street," warned Burkert. In order to promote traffic change, 450 million euros would be necessary annually to significantly reduce the route prices. These investments are not only necessary for the economy, but also for the environment.