VSPV thanks Patrick Schnieder for the dialogue with the taxi trade.

The change at the top of the Federal Ministry of Transport came as a surprise to the mobility association VSPV. With a certificate of thanks, the association therefore expressed its gratitude to Patrick Schnieder for the cooperation during his term in office. VSPV managing director Sascha Waltemate and Patrick Meinhardt, General Authorized Signatory and head of the capital office, presented the certificate during a visit to Schnieder's parliamentary office in Berlin.

Schnieder expressed his pleasure at the recognition.

„For our trust-based cooperation, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Such a form of mutual appreciation and gratitude is not self-evident.“

Even if he will in the future stay out of federal transport policy, he expects further points of contact in other policy fields and transport questions of his home country or his constituency. “In any case, we will keep in touch.”

Dialogue even with differing positions

The VSPV justifies its appreciation mainly with the direct and constructive dialogue during Schnieder's tenure. „From day one we have had an exceptionally good relationship with each other. This is evident especially when one sometimes has a different opinion and discusses with each other in a fair and respectful manner,“ says the association.

The collaboration concerned central topics for the taxi and rental car industry. These included the future of public passenger transport, the inclusion taxi, and the planned revision of the Passenger Transport Act (PBefG). An early edition of the detailed VSPV position on the legislative amendment had Schnieder already received during his tenure.

The association sees further development of the PBefG as continuing to offer companies more planning security. „We, as a mobility association, have already looked forward to further cooperation on all pending and central important questions for a future-oriented transport and infrastructure policy,“ explains the VSPV. Particularly in shaping the Passenger Transport Act, further initiatives could have been possible that would provide reliable prospects for the taxi and rental car trades.

Regret over the ministerial change

In the letter of thanks, the association explicitly also mentions the unexpected change in the ministerial office.

„The greater our incomprehension and regret as VSPV when we had to acknowledge the decision, which was incomprehensible to us and also not expected, that there should be a change in the office of the Federal Minister of Transport.”

Waltemate emphasizes how important the personal gesture was to the association:

„That is why it is so important for us to simply say thank you.”

A trustworthy conduct from the very beginning markedly characterizes a political personality in a particularly notable way.

Meinhardt also commends Schnieders openness toward the concerns of the industry. The association has found in him, despite a tight schedule, a reliable contact. On future topics such as ÖPNV and inclusion taxis, Schnieder was a pioneer in the ministry on a longer path of persuasion, according to the VSPV's assessment.