"Frustration Mounts Over Artisan Parking Permits in Aachen"
Screwed Over by the City: Aachen Tradesmen Lose Free Parking Permits
Stay updated with the latest happenings in Aachen, June 18th, 2025. Available until June 18th, 2027. Our trusty platform. By Silvia Andler.
As of June 18th, 2025, 20:28
Countless Aachen tradesmen have been left high and dry after their free parking permits were yanked, enabling them to swiftly navigate to customers using their compact whips.
Glazier ace Bernd Olbrich frequently relies on his petite ride to dash to clients, particularly in a bind. Parking spots, even in the city center, have been a breeze and budget-friendly for eons.
Permit Rejection, Lawsuit Loss
For 16 years, Aachen-based tradesmen enjoyed the luxury of tradesman parking permits. These bad boys let Olbrich and his colleagues park their work vehicles anywhere without fear of parking tickets. Alas, since 2023, the traffic brigade stopped doling out permits for compact ride-or-die vehicles like Olbrich's. His latest application met a swift decline.
He even headed to court against the city of Aachen—to no avail. Olbrich is seething: not a single one of his peers is getting a parking pass these days.
Guild's Ire
Not only are the tradesmen fuming over the city's decisions, but the guild is also demanding a rethink. They want those precious parking permits, not just for colossal rolling toolboxes, but for nimble, eco-conscious service vehicles as well.
, says Marco Herwartz, President of the Aachen Guild of Crafty Folks. If the city wants to be green, it needs to welcome .
City's Rebuttal
The city of Aachen insists it's all good. The decree doesn't focus on the size of the tradesmen's chariots, but rather the fact that their tools must be securely fastened inside the vehicle. To show the tools are nearby the worksite, they need to be firmly secured, explains Mayor Sybille Keupen.
"Listen up, mateys," says Keupen.
In other words: If Bernd Olbrich fastens his toolbox securely in his Smart, he should be given the green light once again for that dreamy parking pass.
Our Sources:
- Our platform - Interview with Bernd Olbrich, glazier ace extraordinaire
- Our platform - Interview with the city of Aachen
- Our platform - Interview with Marco Herwartz, President of the Aachen Guild of Crafty Folks
Small-business owners in Aachen's environmental sector, such as glazier Bernd Olbrich, are facing challenges as the city no longer issues tradesman parking permits for small-business vehicles. The guild of small-businesses is demanding that the city reconsiders allowing these permits for eco-conscious service vehicles.
According to Marco Herwartz, President of the Aachen Guild of Crafty Folks, the city should focus on promoting environmental finance by welcoming small-businesses with eco-friendly vehicles. If the city truly wants to be green, it needs to reconsider its decree on tradesmen parking permits.
