The coalition of three in Graz on Tuesday presented the much-anticipated expansion concept for public transport for the capital of Styria: An underground S-Bahn solution has been established and the U-Bahn is finally off the table. In addition to funding, there are some other important hurdles to overcome.
“Good things take time.” With these words, Mayor Elke Kahr opened the press conference on Tuesday – expressing what the vast majority of people probably thought. For years, one solution concept followed another, but the big hit to relieve Graz has not yet materialized.
The idea of former mayor Siegfried Nagl (ÖVP) to subvert Graz with a metro was probably the most emotionally discussed next to the Mur gondola. Certainly one of the reasons the adjectives “objective” and “fact-based” were most commonly used by the city governors in office Tuesday morning.
Two tunnel variants won the race
“The climate crisis, the rapid growth of Graz and the high number of commuters leave no options open. We must take action,” emphasized Green Deputy Mayor Judith Schwentner. For nearly a year, concepts for the metro, the S-Bahn and a pure tram extension were examined for their pros and cons – the common denominator (political) eventually came out as an S-Bahn tunnel.
“There is the option of a long and a shorter tunnel variant. We will decide by the end of the year what it will be in the end,” Schwentner said.
Accompanying measures needed
City planning director Bertram Werle emphasized that despite major plans, further measures are still needed to get as many people as possible on public transport: “To achieve a public transport share of at least 30 percent, the focus must be more on trams, buses and trams are being straightened.”
Looking for a third financing
The mini-metro will cost between 2.2 and 2.3 billion euros. The city of Graz, which is known to be heavily indebted, cannot handle this amount alone: ”We are hoping for a third of the funding from the city, the state and the federal government,” Kahr and Schwentner said in unison.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
