Mario Barth reveals: Bank on the ring track causes excitement!

Mario Barth reveals: Bank on the ring track causes excitement!

In Braunschweig, the RTL program “Mario Barth reveals” is causing a stir: Comedian Mario Barth recently took aim at an obviously awkwardly positioned bench on the ring track. In his show he addresses bizarre grievances and the waste of taxpayers' money. Barth first praises the transformation of the former railway system into an attractive pedestrian and cyclist zone, before drawing attention to the details that are worthy of criticism. The bench, currently facing an overgrown fence, has aroused his displeasure. The show guest Joachim Llambi commented on the view as “a view of the green”, which led to general smiles in the group. Barth then confronted the city of Braunschweig with the bank's unfortunate choice of location.

As the city's press office explains, the visual axis is blocked by thickets, which actually puts the positioning of the bench in a bad light. In response to the criticism, it was decided to rotate the bench 180 degrees. Now she looks out over a garden center, a car wash and a parking lot - not necessarily the most idyllic view, but at least better than before. A few days after the broadcast, the bench was already moved to the new position, which shows that the city has responded to the feedback. This is not the first time that Barth has addressed Braunschweig; three years ago he criticized a public toilet in the cult district.

Reactions and tax waste in focus

The reactions to Barth's criticism are mixed: While some viewers appreciate the humorous approach, others point out the positive use of the ring track. The incident has also sparked a larger discourse about public tax waste, which is covered in the current Black Book of the Taxpayers' Association. This deals with various aspects of the waste of tax money, including the promotion of cargo bikes in Braunschweig.

In 2023, the city launched a funding program for private purchases of cargo bikes, with 50,000 euros available annually. But the Taxpayers' Association criticizes the high administrative costs of around 48,000 euros annually, which are disproportionate to the projects actually funded. Private individuals can receive up to 1,000 euros for cargo bikes and 250 euros for bicycle trailers. Ultimately, a study shows that many users would have purchased a cargo bike even without funding, which calls into question the efficiency of the program.

The Taxpayers' Association is calling for the funding programs to be reconsidered. The results so far are not convincing; The city, however, denies this and reports increasing demand for the funding. This discussion goes hand in hand with Mario Barth's observations on the use of tax money in Braunschweig and makes it clear that there is still a need for action when it comes to the use of public funds.