Berlin’s SPD leader Raed Saleh has accused mobility senator Bettina Jarasch of setting the wrong accents in transport policy. “If there are currently such restrictions on the subway as there are on the U2, it is important to take responsibility and say, let’s see how we can do it,” said the SPD state and parliamentary group leader of the German press Agency. “The senator has to say, ‘There’s a construction site now and that’s what I’m totally concentrating on.’ – before you start opening side discussions, for example by blocking Friedrichstrasse for cars overnight and without a plan,” said the SPD politician. “Senator Jarasch’s transport policy has the worm in it.”
The goal of transforming Friedrichstrasse into a real promenade is correct. “But Frau Jarasch is going the wrong way. You can’t block the street first and then start planning.” You have to involve the residents, think big about the entire district, and bring the tradespeople to the table, said Saleh. “What’s the point of such a hasty shot? To say, well, now I’m right, I’ll assert myself now, that doesn’t gain trust.”
From Saleh’s point of view, the planned blocking of Friedrichstrasse for traffic from Monday is just one example of the wrong focus in mobility administration: “I wish for more drive and more courage in the mobility transition,” he said. “I would like to see faster offers that motivate people to leave their cars at home, more and even safer cycle paths throughout Berlin – and also more subways.”
“Subway expansion above all environmentally correct”
In the end, the subway expansion was not only right in terms of transport and economic policy, but above all in terms of environmental policy. “If you want climate change, you have to be ready for it.” Saleh said you have to think of Berlin as a whole and for generations, not just small things. “We are an international metropolis. We can’t afford not to go in the direction of the subway.” The SPD politician doesn’t see the costs as an argument either. “Let’s assume the route costs 500 million euros. The federal government is often willing to invest 70 to 80 percent of this,” he said.
“I’m a passionate walker, I’m a passionate cyclist, I use public transport, but I’m also a driver,” Saleh continues. “As I am, so are many other Berliners. That’s why you have to try to create offers so that people say: “Wow, you’ve got me so far, I’m giving up my car voluntarily.”
I am a passionate walker, I am a passionate cyclist, I use public transport, but I am also a driver
Rad Saleh
Saleh advocated keeping the 29-euro ticket, which was only planned until May, in the long term. “Even if you don’t get rid of the car because of this, but leave it at home more often, you are already contributing to the mobility and climate change,” he said. “How can you be against it as a Green?”
The money that people saved through the discounted ticket could be spent elsewhere. It also makes sense for the economy. “If we manage to agree on economic, social and environmental policy here, then we’ve made it,” said the SPD state leader. “And that’s why I’m calling on the Greens: Clear the way for the 29-euro ticket beyond May.”
The federal and state governments agreed on Friday to start the nationwide 49-euro monthly ticket for local transport on May 1st. Jarasch announced on Friday evening that Berlin would take the opportunity to “discount the new ticket”, i.e. to introduce cheaper variants such as a job ticket or for those who could not afford 49 euros.
When the parliamentary elections are repeated on February 12, the SPD and the Greens will compete with the CDU for first place. According to the most recent survey on Thursday, the Christian Democrats were ahead with 23 percent, the Greens and SPD tied with 19 percent. (dpa)
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