Salzburg (dpa) – In Austria, the city of Salzburg wants to reduce intra-city traffic in July and August by tightening access rules. The city announced that day tourists will no longer be allowed to enter the city center by car. Large parking spaces on the outskirts of the city should be used instead. Anyone parking there will have to pay a daily parking fee of €7.50 and will also receive a day ticket for up to five people to use local public transport, the spokesman said.
The reason for the regulation is regular traffic jams in the city center when thousands of day tourists flock to Salzburg, especially on rainy days. “Even if we have 1,000 fewer car trips per day, that should be a relief,” city spokesman Karl Schupfer said. Even one-day tourists will not benefit if, instead of walking around the city, they spend a long time stuck in traffic jams. Garages, hospitals, businesses and hotels remained accessible.
Exceptions to the driving ban also apply to Bavaria’s neighbors.
The regulation contains many exceptions. Vehicles with license plates of the city of Salzburg, the Salzburg region, Hallein and the Berchtesgaden region are exempt from the driving ban. According to the information, travel to the destination and originating traffic in connection with professional practice, business, delivery, cargo handling, medical care or hotel reservations is also excluded.
It has been said that the two-month regulation – if it is successful – could be extended.