Exploding fuel prices: commuters frustrated - "A horror in the country"
Created: 03/11/2022, 22:17
By: Christiane Mühlbauer
Rolf Geiger from Bad Tölz is a specialist in the packaging of industrial plants.
It commutes to Unterschleißheim every day and leaves at 4:50 in the morning.
© private
Those who drive to work experience a new price shock every day at the petrol stations.
Commuters describe their situation.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen – Valerie Pöckl commutes 95 kilometers a day – from Fall to Garching.
That's almost 200 kilometers a day and around three hours in the car.
"Unfortunately, I can't work from home," says the 26-year-old product designer, who works for a film special effects and model making company.
Fuel prices are rising: 500 euros for diesel – “Drive to Austria to fill up”
"And I don't want to give up my job." Instead of the previous 330 euros in fuel costs for a Golf with a diesel tank, she currently pays a good 500 euros.
"I'm currently going to Austria to fill up," says Pöckl.
An electric car is out of the question for her: "I don't have any charging stations nearby."
Valerie Pöckl (26) drives from Fall to Garching every day.
She is a product designer.
© Archive
High fuel prices: Almost 80 euros more per month for petrol - bitter commuters
Every day, Rolf Geiger drives 83 kilometers from Bad Tölz to his employer in Unterschleißheim.
He is a specialist in the packaging of industrial plants.
"At the moment I have almost 80 euros more a month for petrol." Geiger leaves early, every day at 4:50 a.m.
"There's no train yet." About the commuter allowance "I can only laugh," he says bitterly.
Purchasing an electric car is not worthwhile for him, "because I drive very little privately".
In addition, it is difficult with the charging stations.
"And on vacation I want to be independent."
More current news from the region around Bad Tölz can be found here.
Gasoline prices continue to rise: bus and train in shift work is not a solution
A nurse from the Loisach Valley is also very frustrated with the situation.
She doesn't want to read her name in the newspaper for fear of disadvantages at work.
The 55-year-old works in a special area and has now been transferred from the region so that she has to commute to Munich.
"I work rotating shifts and can't switch to public transport," she says.
also read
Ukraine refugees in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen: New prognosis and answers to the most important questions
The first war refugees have arrived, the district office is preparing for more.
From Monday they can be accommodated in the Geretsrieder gym.
Ukraine refugees in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen: New prognosis and answers to the most important questions
The Stadtwerke construction site moves on: These road closures are coming
The construction work on Jahnstrasse is in full swing.
The construction site will reach Hindenburgstrasse next week.
The Stadtwerke construction site moves on: These road closures are coming
At her age, it is no longer worth changing employers because of the social benefits that have been built up.
"I feel trapped," she says.
“The current situation is horrific for all rural commuters.” She cannot afford to buy an electric car.
"Even leasing is not without it." In addition, she cannot charge the vehicle at her workplace.
At the moment, she combines weekend trips to Austria with refueling – including shopping in the neighboring country.
High fuel prices: "The current situation is a nightmare for everyone in the country"
Marcus Steiner usually commutes 265 kilometers, namely from Wackersberg to Manching – but he is currently working from home due to Corona.
The 52-year-old is very specialized professionally and was also transferred a few years ago.
“There is no comparable job for me in the region,” he says.
He doesn't want to move away from Tölz for family reasons.
"It's not that nice in the Ingolstadt region either," he adds.
Under normal circumstances, he drives 1300 kilometers a week.
Apprentices have to spend a large part of their wages on fuel
Trainees also face major problems.
Lisa Döring from Geretsried is training to become a veterinary assistant at the veterinary clinic in Oberhaching.
She also works in shifts.
She can only take the S-Bahn to the vocational school.
Of the 750 euros gross that she earns in the first year of her apprenticeship, a lot is currently being spent on fuel.
"Thank God I can still live with my parents and thus save on rent," says the 19-year-old.
High fuel prices: public fuel in rural areas is often not an alternative
Felix Leipold commutes from Geretsried to Munich every day.
The 23-year-old is training to become an administrative officer at the city of Munich and is employed in a variety of areas.
Although his employer would pay for a ticket for public transport, "I would be on the road more than twice as long," says Leipold, who sits on the Geretsried city council for the Free Voters.
In urban areas, he now switches to his bicycle.
"I've already thought about an electric car, but it's just stupid with the charging stations," he says.
Felix Leipold (23) is in training.
He commutes from Geretsried to Munich.
© Archive
Christian Gampl from Münsing, whose workplace is in Bad Tölz, argues similarly.
"And the price of electricity will also be more expensive," he says.
"I really struggle with the idea of buying a new car because of the price of gas."
Rising petrol prices: e-cars a good option?
On the other hand, Alexandra Petschk from Gaißach made the switch to an electric car – and she is happy.
She usually commutes to Munich three days a week.
"I can charge the car at work," she says happily.
100 kilometers would currently cost you 7 euros.
Petschk bought a Tesla Model 3 because it can be charged with the brand's own superchargers.
"It's full again after 15 minutes," she says.
In general, you would "think differently" when charging with an e-car, explains the woman from Gaißach.
"You can also do it when you're shopping, for example, when the battery is actually still half full." Another advantage: "Our repair costs are zero." permit.
"I thought it was funny myself," she says, smiling.
Our Bad Tölz newsletter keeps you regularly informed about all the important stories from your region. Sign up here.