Baden-Württemberg introduces a mobility guarantee financed by car owners

As part of Baden-Württemberg’s climate targets, the German region aims to double demand for public transport by 2030 and to reduce car traffic in cities by one-third (compared to 2010). The aim is to relieve roads of car traffic while at the same time expanding public transport alternatives and rendering these more attractive. However, achieving these aims requires a comprehensive package of incentives to encourage transport users to make this switch away from private passenger vehicles. In order to deliver this, the region has adopted a mobility guarantee and a mobility pass.

The mobility guarantee stipulates that people should be able to reach their home, workplace or other destination for visits and errands at least every 15 minutes in metropolitan areas and at least every 30 minutes in rural areas. The mobility guarantee requires that a reliable public transport service is in place from 5 a.m. to midnight, so the region's Ministry of Transport aims to promote public transport as an attractive service in both urban and rural areas and thus provide a clear incentive for people to switch from cars to buses and trains.

The implementation of the guarantee builds on findings from the “ÖPNV-Report”, a 2020 study that looked at the public transport systems in Vorarlberg (Austria) and those in Switzerland, which identified the comprehensive expansion of public transport services through significant timetable and frequency improvements as a key lever for doubling demand for public transport.

In order to partially finance the expansion of the services and potentially lower fares, municipalities will be allowed to generate revenue through the introduction of a mobility pass. Car owners living in a given municipality will have to pay a substantial contribution for this pass, for which they will also receive a public transport ticket.

Original article published composed by Ministry of Transport Baden-Württemberg, September 2021.