Speech by Lore (VCD)

Dear everyone who is here today and demonstrated with us, thank you for setting a strong example together today – for sustainable mobility, for the expansion of public transport, and very specifically for the new tram line to Hubland. My name is Lore from the VCD – the Verkehrsclub Deutschland. We advocate for climate-friendly, socially just and barrier-free mobility. We stand for a city without forced car dependency. Because when we design our city around cars, we overlook many people: children and young people, older people, people with disabilities – and all those who do not own a car or consciously choose not to have one. And that is not a small number. Mobility means freedom. People should be able to move around independently – without relying on “parent taxis” or neighbors for rides. We want to be able to go to the cinema, the theater or a demonstration on our own. Safe cycling paths and well-developed public transport are essential so that everyone can participate equally in social life. Together with you, we demand safe walking and cycling paths. We demand accessibility. And we demand the consistent expansion of public transport. Our demonstration today followed the planned tram route to Hubland. I am confident that one day we will travel this route by tram. But I wish that projects like this would become reality faster in Würzburg. We must not wait 30 years for another tram line. We want all districts to be well and sustainably connected to our public transport system. We need barrier-free local transport – so that everyone can ride. We need attractive, affordable and easy-to-understand fares. The Germany ticket was a good start: taking buses and trains became simpler and less complicated. Let us build on that idea. And we need reliable frequency – so that people can get home safely in the evening. Yes, things are moving in Würzburg. And I welcome every improvement. But I am impatient. And in the face of the climate crisis, that impatience is more than justified. The transport sector still causes a large share of emissions. If we take our climate targets seriously, we must push the transport transition forward decisively. Today, we took to the streets across southern Germany – for climate protection. And sustainable transport policy is climate policy. Today, we were loud for sustainable mobility in Würzburg. Let us stay loud together – for a real transport transition, for safe cycling and walking paths, for more, better, simple, affordable and barrier-free public transport. Thank you all very much!