Since last week, anyone who wants to park at Blomberg has to dig deeper into their pockets: Instead of two euros, the day ticket now costs five euros.
Wackersberg - The subject of parking fees always heats people up.
While the editors have received one or two emails criticizing the increase, Blombergbahn boss Hannes Zintel says: “We communicated the increase in parking fees widely and met with understanding everywhere.
Annual parking card costs 70 euros - offer for regular guests
He only got three angry emails in the past few days, says Zintel.
These come from mountaineers who like to go up the Blomberg again in the evening.
Zintel also spoke to Tölz Mayor Ingo Mehner about this topic.
The main concern was how to make an "adequate offer" to regular guests.
Here the Blombergbahn boss refers to the annual parking card, which can be had for 70 euros.
For example, if you come to Blomberg once a week, you end up paying around 1.30 euros per parking session, says Zintel.
"It was important to me that the price for this annual ticket was kept within limits," says City Hall chief Mehner, "because we have people who are at the Blomberg several times a week".
In general, however, he points out that Zintel does not have to agree the fee structure with the city.
"It's not a city parking lot."
Charging options for e-cars and e-bikes
Mehner basically understands the increase in fees.
“The income for the Blomberg has to come from somewhere.
In general, we have to be grateful that we have it. ”And if you look at the license plates of the cars that park there at the weekend,“ you have to say that they are used to very different prices for parking, ”says Mehner.
Zintel also points out that the fees have remained the same since it was introduced in 2010.
Before the increase, they looked around in the surrounding area to see how the price structure was there on hiking parking lots and adjusted to that.
And last but not least: “The money does not go to a Porsche driver, but, as always, is put into the mountain.” For example, the tender for a new monitoring system that records license plates is currently in progress.
Once the parking fee has been paid, discounts could be granted in return - such as free use of the toilets and others.
Hourly tickets will then also be able to be bought from the machines.
"But for that we need the new system first," says Zintel.
Further improvements to the parking lot are also planned.
This includes asphalting other areas.
Charging options for e-cars and e-bikes are also planned.
There is constant investment in the mountain
But other investments are also made on the Blomberg.
The cable car has just received new service brakes for 30,000 euros and roller batteries for 130,000 euros, and the next TÜV is on the agenda at the end of March.
A defibrillator was bought, which is available for emergencies at the valley station.
In addition, bushes have to be pruned and gardening work done - and last but not least, “we collect a wheelbarrow of garbage every day,” says Zintel.
In addition, there is the maintenance of the parking area.
“We always have potholes that we have to repair.” The winter service is also extensive - with clearing and spreading.
Mountain railway affected by lockdown for the second time
The railway has been at a standstill since the beginning of November, so apart from the parking fees the company has no income.
An end to the lockdown is not in sight.
The mountain railway paused during the shutdown in spring 2020.
The year before, nothing went on for weeks on the Blomberg either.
The wet snow in that disaster winter had caused extensive snow breakage.
The Blomberg lightning bolt was also severely damaged by fallen trees.
The increase in parking fees is already being discussed on social media.
Understanding prevails there.
“Two euros were probably not economically viable, I don't find five euros too much now,” writes one user.
And another: "It's perfectly okay for a whole day, there are much worse things."
Also read: Lenggries: New fees for parking spaces for hikers