Schattendorf border

End of commuter transit: “Whole region breathes a sigh of relief”

For Mayor Hoffmann, it was the right decision to erect the bollards. The children are also pleased.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Reinhard Judt)

The border at Schattendorf has been "closed" for a year. The municipality is now hoping for an end to the disputes.

Hardly any other border crossing has caused more excitement in recent years than the one in Schattendorf. A year ago, the border was de facto closed to Hungarian commuter traffic when a construction site was set up there. Even before that, the municipality had tried to get the "commuter transit" under control by means of a driving ban - without success. The cars continued to roll daily from Agendorf in Hungary along the narrow connecting road to Schattendorf, past the church, cemetery and kindergarten.

Pedestrian zone and bollards
Due to the risk of a serious accident occurring at some point, Mayor Thomas Hoffmann felt compelled to put a stop to the whole thing - or rather a pedestrian zone with bollards. An idea that infuriated Hungarian commuters and also brought the Ombudsman's Office onto the scene. Acts of vandalism were committed against the automatic bollard system and a court battle ensued. In the end, the municipality was proved right.

The bollard system has been in operation for a few weeks now.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Reinhard Judt)

462 applications for vignettes
The bollard system has now been in operation for several weeks. Only those who have a vignette can drive through. This can be applied for if there is a significant economic or personal interest. The legally prescribed fee is 160 euros for two years. "This group of people will receive a refund of 140 euros in the form of a shopping voucher. To date, around 22,000 euros have gone to local businesses in this way," explains Hoffmann. 462 applications were submitted, 155 of which were approved. "Unfortunately, untruths are often reported in this context about who has received an exemption from which country. There are many Hungarian citizens living in Schattendorf who are designated as 'Schattendorfer'," explains the mayor.

Hoping for an end to the disputes
On the anniversary, he hopes for an end to the disputes. Instead, constructive solutions are needed for the Hungarian commuters. "The expansion of public transport on the Hungarian side, the creation of park & ride facilities and the reopening of the train station in Agendorf could be significant improvements to make it easier for Hungarian commuters to reach their workplace," says the mayor.

Relief for the region
In any case, the pedestrian zone was the right decision: "Over the last few months, I have received feedback from a number of conversations with citizens of the surrounding communities that the relief is clearly noticeable throughout the region and has been very well received," says Hoffmann.