Citizens defend themselves against Stadtbahn in Regensburg: OB in the criticism – "fed up"

Created: 09/14/2022, 19:26

By: Stefan Aigner

Had a difficult time in the Konradsiedlung: Mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer.

© Stefan Aigner

The resistance to a light rail system in Regensburg is getting louder.

A public discussion between the mayor and local residents went completely awry.

Regensburg - "That's all bullshit.

It's all fraud.

It is enough.

Enough.” The man with the white hair and the car keys in his hand is angry.

You can't miss that.

But when he yells several times in between, it goes too far for the bystanders.

They calm him down with partly soothing, partly clear words and finally send him away.

Public discussion on the Stadtbahn in Regensburg: Mayor acts helplessly and clumsily

But they are not exactly sympathetic to the mayor of Regensburg, in whose direction the man shouted.

Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer has a difficult time walking around in the Konradsiedlung.

There is criticism of the plans for a light rail system - and the clumsy actions of the mayor during this "civil dialogue" do not really improve the mood.

Stadtbahn in Regensburg: Great resistance in the Konradsiedlung

For the Regensburg SPD, the Konradsiedlung is not exactly what one would call a stronghold.

Traditionally, the CSU is chosen here.

But there are also exceptions.

Irene Winter, 85, gray hair and still on her feet despite walking frame, from Sandgasse has been a member for decades.

Of conviction.

But, at least that's what she said to her neighbors, if they build the light rail here, then she'll resign.

On the green area below the parish church of St. Konrad, she looked for a place right next to the mayor and the SPD local chairman Klaus Rappert, who stopped by today for a tour of the district.

Almost a hundred residents are there to discuss the light rail plans.

Konradsiedlung: Stadtbahn criticism is emblazoned in the front gardens

When you walk past the single-family houses in the settlement, you immediately notice that you are skeptical about what is probably the most ambitious transport project in the city of Regensburg since World War II – to put it mildly.

"Light rail - really well thought out?", "Light rail - impairment for buildings and residents?", "Light rail - sensibly planned???" and similar things are written on the partly handwritten, partly printed posters hanging on the garage doors or in the front gardens stand.

Talks about the Stadtbahn: The CSU was faster

And the SPD is late.

The CSU, which has acted as the mouthpiece of Stadtbahn critics for a few months, was here for the first time weeks ago.

A poster is already hanging on a wall with photos of parliamentary group leader Jürgen Eberwein and district chairman Michael Lehner, who are already inviting people to the next CSU district tour on Saturday.

In short: For Maltz-Schwarzfischer and Rappert, this date is an away game.

And this game is bad.

(By the way: Our brand new Regensburg newsletter will keep you regularly informed about all the important stories from the World Heritage city and the Upper Palatinate. Register here.)

Chaotic conversation about the light rail: heckling and laughter instead of dialogue

"We're here to explain what we're doing and why we're doing it," the mayor tries to make herself heard, surrounded by people.

mumbling.

heckling.

incredulous laughter.

"Yes, why are you doing this?" asks Ms. Winter.

Nobody understands that.

Regensburg is growing and therefore needs a higher-quality transport system, says the mayor.

"Where is the city growing to the north?" she is interrupted.

"Towards Haslbach," replies the Maltz-Schwarzfischer.

"Are there any plans?" "No, but..." "Be specific." The conversation drifted off.

heckling.

Laughter.

Shaking heads in the back rows.

No clarification in sight.

Criticism of Stadtbahn: "We're fed up"

"Hundreds of trees are being felled again," a woman calls out.

"In Burgweinting too," echoes back from the other side of the crowd.

"No more." "We're fed up."

Klaus Rappert, sunglasses, annoyed look, tries to calm down.

But rarely does it.

Hardly anyone here can finish talking - be it the questioner or the SPD exponents.

There is always chattering or shouting in between.

Mayor asserts: There is still no final decision on the light rail

There is only this report from 2018, which first of all only determined whether a light rail system was even possible, the OB asserts.

"That's not a finished plan yet." And now there are suggestions for two routes - one through Sandgasse - which are currently being examined by a planning office as part of the so-called "master plan".

A decision has not yet been made.

Nothing is fixed yet.

And actually she doesn't think the current time is suitable for an information event anyway.

"But you asked for it," said the mayor.

Stadtbahn critic reaps applause and shouts of bravo

A woman has brought a few display boards to express her doubts about the cost-benefit factor from the report mentioned.

She calculates, gives numbers and data and her assumption that in view of the price increases this factor cannot be achieved and therefore there is no subsidy for the light rail.

Klaus Rappert takes too long.

He tries to interrupt the woman - and reaps loud contradiction and boos.

"Let them speak." "What the heck is that?" Rappert gives in.

When the woman comes to the conclusion: "The Stadtbahn is not eligible" there is applause and shouts of bravo.

Rappert tries to open a counter calculation.

The OB also tries to argue and is interrupted.

That gets on my nerves.

"And now I'll talk it out," she calls out angrily at some point.

Stadtbahn advocates do not get through in the Konradsiedlung

Using the example of Josef Mös, chairman of the senior citizens' advisory board and an important voice in the Konradsiedlung, it is explained that it is better to get to Kneitinger am Arnulfsplatz with the current bus connections without having to change trains than with the tram.

There are objections that a future concept for traffic without the district makes little sense.

A man speaks up to argue for the light rail.

"Why are you so scared of that?" he asks, but doesn't really get through.

Many questions, many objections - but hardly any answers

How is such a giant train supposed to fit through Sandgasse?

Where is there any passenger potential at all if only 2,500 people are currently using public transport every day?

And what about the children in the street who would be endangered by the light rail?

What about delivery traffic, rescue routes - and how is the light rail supposed to get through here at all if the traffic jams?

How about the vibrations from the light rail and the effects on the houses along the route?

The commuters bring the light rail nothing.

The parking lots were gone.

And possibly some front gardens would have to be replanned in order to be able to guarantee the necessary route width.

Many questions and objections to which the mayor rarely has a concrete answer and instead refers to the master plan, which should be available in autumn 2023.

Everything will be checked there.

Alternative routes would also be discussed.

Sharp criticism of citizen participation: “You feel fooled”

A man speaks up.

"You don't have to be surprised if people are so upset." On the one hand, it is said that there are hardly any concrete plans, on the other hand, people are allowed to vote on the color and shape of the seat shells in participation formats.

"It makes you feel fooled."

Yes, the OB admits that she was initially taken aback when she saw these questions.

"You stopped short?" the man replies.

"But you're the boss." Yes, that's her.

But she can't take care of every detail and she doesn't know every detail either.

"I'm not a master planner."

Light rail discussion: OB didn't bring any experts

The SPD does not have experts from the administration with them today.

Neither the head of the city railway office, whom those present quote several times, nor the planning officer, nor any of the external master planners or PR strategists.

On October 21, there will be a route inspection with the planners, but Maltz-Schwarzfischer announces.

It goes on like this for a good 90 minutes without any real result.

The chorus of objections, some of which are worth considering, and angry bourgeoisie is too polyphonic.

And the mayor and rapper do their part.

Sometimes they seem unprepared, sometimes overwhelmed by the situation and keep opening up new flanks unnecessarily.

In the end we didn't get any closer

The promise to check the houses for vibrations and possible damage can somehow be wrested from the OB.

At least that's how you can understand it in the heated atmosphere.

Ms. Winter also held out until the end - but then went home with more questions than answers, while Klaus Rappert inspected the route with a few remaining residents and looked at a few problem areas.

They didn't get any closer today.