Tiroler Tageszeitung, editorial from August 15, 2023. By Manfred Mitterwachauer: "The price is getting hot".

2023-08-14 20:00:27

Tyrol wants the slot system for trucks. If possible, without having to give milk to the anti-transit measures. That won’t play.

Innsbruck (OTS) – Not only the real traffic development, but also the political transit debate in Tyrol has been like a rollercoaster ride in recent years. Up, down – in the end everything just turns in circles. After the downturn caused by the pandemic between 2020 and 2021, the current traffic report for 2022 has simply and simply overrun and rolled over the – hasty – hope of a sustainable trend reversal (not only) in international freight transport. Roads are booming, rails are ailing.
At least in Italy, all motorways lead to Uscita – Tyrolean politicians have been trying in vain for years to break the spiral of truck records. With the slot system that was born in South Tyrol and has been agreed with Bavaria, Tirol hopes to have the decisive ace up its sleeve. The bookable truck highway should at least help to equalize the truck avalanche along the Brenner corridor from Munich to Verona. At the same time, Tyrol is speculating on having to give up as little as possible of the previous catalog of driving bans for transiting heavy traffic. A wishful thinking. Neither Italy nor Germany will give in under these circumstances. On the contrary. The slot system should be worked out by the end of the year. But what price is black and red willing to pay for the slot? Which anti-transit measure does Tyrol want to sacrifice? Slot is intended to replace block processing. The night driving ban, on the other hand, is a no-go. An end to the sectoral driving ban would be an option. Because one way or another, it loses its effect with each passing year.
One thing is certain: Slots will not be available for free. Ultimately, however, the cost-benefit calculation must work out for Tyrol. Otherwise it is better to leave Slot right on the breakdown lane.