Wave of protests continues - large lorry rally to Berlin last Friday
The haulage industry in Germany is at its limit and has made its displeasure known in Berlin over the last few days. Over 1,500 lorry drivers took part in the rally to the capital to draw attention to their problems. At the centre of the complaints are a lack of parking spaces and higher toll charges, which are keeping the industry on tenterhooks.
Many drivers complain that the lack of parking facilities on motorways and service areas is a major problem. The limited working and driving time often forces drivers to look for a place to sleep one or two hours before the end of their working day. However, this is often a challenge, as many car parks have parking bans and you can't simply park your truck in a residential area.
However, it is not only the situation on the roads that is putting a strain on the industry, but also the latest political decisions. The Bundesverband Logistik und Verkehr pro e.V. has called for the rally to protest against the CO2 surcharge on the truck toll introduced on 1 December. The association is also calling for the toll revenue to be reinvested in the roads and not in the railways.
These demands are supported by many haulage companies. They report that the increase in the toll is hitting many companies in the industry hard. Companies that use gas-powered lorries are particularly affected. These were toll-free until the introduction of the CO2 surcharge, but are now subject to a 100 per cent toll. The costs for the industry have therefore risen enormously. A company in Hennigsdorf, for example, now pays around 1.5 million euros a month for its 450 lorries instead of 500,000 euros under the new regulations.
This not only hits the entrepreneurs hard. Drivers and any employees could also be affected if the company that employs them becomes insolvent and salaries can no longer be paid.
It remains to be seen whether the rally and the protests in Berlin will actually lead to an improvement in the situation. What is certain, however, is that the haulage industry in Germany is facing major challenges. The government should take this seriously and look for solutions to improve the situation for drivers and ease the burden on the industry. Ultimately, this also has an impact on us citizens in our country.