Fast-forwarding tempo to 50 once more?
🚌 Hop in and let's chat about Pforzheim:
Get ready for some changes in the city! The city council is set to decide on Tuesday about introducing 50 km/h speed zones during the day and cutting back on bus services.
Currently, many city center streets in Pforzheim have a 30 km/h speed limit, but that could be about to change. The city's noise action plan suggests allowing a speed of 50 km/h on major traffic arteries during the day, with 30 km/h only applying at night. But here's where things get interesting—the plan has caused quite the commotion!
European Union regulations call on member states to tackle noise pollution, so cities must frequently review their noise action plans.
Beating Traffic Jams in Pforzheim, Mayor's Style!
In his New Year's address, Mayor Peter Boch (CDU) proposed increasing speed limits on main traffic arteries to 50 km/h, hoping to help reduce traffic jams. The agenda for the council meeting includes a plan to reintroduce the 50 km/h limit during the day, with 30 km/h only applying at night. To keep the noise down where the limit is increased, noise-reducing surfaces will be installed.
Yet, the Karlsruhe Regional Government is skeptical. They caution against increasing speed limits before planned renovations, such as laying down noise-reducing asphalt. A comprehensive assessment can only be made after these upgrades.
To meet EU requirements for managing noise pollution, cities must show that speed limit increases won't breach noise limits.
👉 Fun Fact: EU regulations spur cities to update their noise action plans regularly, like making a New Year's resolution for the urban environment!
The German Traffic Club Says: "Hold Your Horses!" (**VCD)
The German Traffic Club (VCD) isn't too thrilled about these plans. They believe the noise action plan is inadequate, leading to a deterioration in noise protection. The VCD pushes for a uniform 30 km/h limit on all streets within Pforzheim. Since 2007, the number of residents affected by road traffic noise has climbed from around 12,000 to over 26,000.
Cycling and environmental activists from Critical Mass also voice concerns. They worry about the additional risk the speed increase in areas near schools might pose to students.
Bus Services: On the Chopping Block
The city council is also knee-deep in discussions about bus services in Pforzheim, with possible service reductions on tap. In 2026, bus services in Pforzheim will be re-awarded as part of a Europe-wide tender. Now, you may wonder why this is a big deal... well, the bus services in Pforzheim are currently run by railway subsidiary Regionalverkehr Südwest (RVS), and they're suggesting continuing without city subsidies—but at a potential cost to service quality.
In their concept, RVS plans to reduce services to roughly 3 million kilometers per year, down from the current 3.5 million. They're also proposing lowering frequencies in the evenings and on weekends.
City councilmembers are split on whether to approve RVS' self-financing application. While some, like Mayor Peter Boch (CDU), support rejecting the application, others like Mayor Dirk Büscher (CDU) and Mayor Konrad Weber, suggest approving it, taking the financial implications into account.
rejected, RVS can submit a new offer according to the city. But remember, every decision comes with its own set of pros and cons, so let's wait and see what the city council decides!
P.S. Union ver.di has voiced concerns about the selection process for the bus traffic operator. They fear that city officials are only focusing on financial aspects, possibly leading to a repeat of past events where the city-owned public transport company was dismantled, and over 200 employees lost their jobs.
- The plan to increase speed limits on main traffic arteries in Pforzheim, as proposed by Mayor Peter Boch, could have implications not only for transportation but also for industries such as finance, given the potential impacts on traffic flow and congestion.
- The discussions about the future of bus services in Pforzheim involve decisions that could significantly impact transportation in the city and possibly lead to changes in the local finance industry, as any reductions in services may require adjustments in funding and operational costs.
