Bregenz plans Cityaut: Big changes for drivers are imminent!

Bregenz plans Cityaut: Big changes for drivers are imminent!

The Bregenz city government is currently planning to introduce a Citymaut for all road users who drive through the city instead of using the Pfänder tunnel. This measure aims to reduce through traffic and significantly reduce traffic loads in the city center. Mayor Michael Ritsch (SPÖ) emphasizes the need for legal adjustments, since the existing road traffic regulations (StVO) does not allow such a must at the moment. Constitutional lawyer Peter Bußjäger also critically commented on the legal implementability of the initiative and explained that a change in the law was essential.

A current conversation between the city government and the federal government should create the necessary legal framework. As reports VOL.AT, a novella of the road traffic regulations is already underway, but the topic of Cityaut is not included in this draft. The mayor dampens the expectations of a quick implementation and emphasizes that the adaptation of the law will take time. Within the next twelve months, Ritsch hopes for positive developments in the legal requirements.

challenges in implementation

The legal challenges of the city toll are complex. Nevertheless, the topic is already being discussed intensively during the city day in Eisenstadt. In the conversations it becomes clear that the concept is not only in Bregenz, but also in other cities, where there are similar traffic problems. The experiences gained from other cities that already work with such fees could potentially serve as a model.

In an extended context, an example from Vienna could be used. Different models are examined in a diploma thesis on the instrument of the dams in Vienna that could contribute to internalization of external costs of road traffic. The high traffic in urban areas not only leads to negative environmental impact, but also to considerable delays. Due to the development of suitable stammering models, the approach shows that such fees are only part of a larger strategy to improve urban mobility. According to repositum.tuwien.at, these models are not suitable as a sole solution to achieve the traffic objectives, but require the integration of additional measures.

overall rating and outlook

The introduction of a cityaut in Bregenz could therefore also act in the sense of a wider traffic strategy in the state of Vorarlberg. The compatibility of legal requirements and traffic policy goals is essential. The mayors and city managers will have to deal with persistent pressure in the future in order to find pioneering solutions as quickly as possible. The topic of city toll will therefore continue to play a central role in political discourse.