Meloni and Stocker: Requested a dispute over truck slot system on the Brenner!

Meloni and Stocker: Requested a dispute over truck slot system on the Brenner!

In an urgent appeal to the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker promoted a "slot system" in transit traffic on the burner route. Stocker commented after a meeting with Meloni, which did not allow questions from the press. He emphasized that bilateral relationships between Austria and Italy are "solid", even if the specific topics of transit traffic and the "slot system" were not discussed, such as the Kleine Zeitung reported.

The burner route, which is a central connection between Austria and Italy, is badly affected by truck trips. There are about 2.4 to 2.5 million truck transports every year, which represents the stress limit for the region. In order to reduce this pressure, the concept of a "slot system" was agreed in April 2023 in a political agreement between Bavaria, Tyrol and South Tyrol.

The challenges of transit traffic

Stocker pointed out that a state contract between the nation states involved is necessary to implement the proposed system, which has so far been met with resistance. Italy categorically rejected and reacted with a clear "NJET". This rejection is also considered against the background of the current lawsuit of Italy in front of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) against Tyrol's measures to contain transit traffic. Stocker calls for a “politically sustainable approach”, regardless of the court decision to prevent traffic jams and traffic blocks.

The problems on the burner seem to be reinforced by various measures. 11.3 million vehicles were already counted on the Brenner in 2023, including 2.3 million trucks. In future, these loads could be tightened by the renovation of the Lueg Bridge, which will be planned from 2025.

international cooperation and compromises

The Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder has also spoken out for the "slot system" and praised the cooperative attitude of Tirol's governor Anton Mattle. Söder and Stocker meet regularly to talk about progress in traffic regulation. Both emphasized the need for a political solution to straighten the Tyrolean driving bans and truck block handling, which are currently "emergency measures". Söder also expressed support for Stocker's efforts to reduce the loads from transit transport.

Although the "slot system" appears promising in theory, the practical implementation due to political tensions between Austria and Italy is still unclear. However, Stocker and Meloni strive for a pragmatic approach that could benefit both sides. The discussions about traffic policy between the two nations are crucial, since the northern inlet to the burner base tunnel on the Bavarian side is currently considered boycotted and political discussions are on ice between the traffic ministers.

In addition, Stocker calls for transit traffic to rail and highlights the importance of the Brenner Base Base tunnel, the opening of which is planned for 2032. However, progress on the northern access routes in Germany are cumbersome.

The development of the traffic management system depends heavily on the consent of both Austria and Italy, which concerns the costs and the feasibility of the project. Here the common responsibility of the two nations is required to find permanent solutions and to make transit traffic on the Brenner more humane and safer.

With regard to the future, it remains to be seen whether the political actors are able to overcome the existing differences and actually bring the "slot system" to the tracks.