For many years, large urban agglomerations have been facing difficulties related to the increase of individual transport and the need to ensure an efficient mobility. In order to solve this problem, the authorities have been trying to seek alternative and more attractive solutions to reduce individual transport.
One of the solutions that have expanded more and more in Europe and Asia is the development of integrated public transport systems, based on electric rail transport and supported by buses and trolleys.
Within these systems, the underground plays a more and more important role compared to the other means of transport, because it facilitates urban transport and helps decongest the main surface arterial roads. Its advantages related to increased transport capacity, efficiency, safety and less pollution grants the underground system a leading position among all the other urban means of transport. In this context, the underground is a key component of every sustainable development policy, because it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Starting from this premise, the authorities of large cities focus either on the extension of the underground network or on the construction of such a transport system. The development of projects in this field has reduced individual transport, attracting passengers towards a more efficient, comfortable and green mode of transport. Nowadays, every city that provides underground transport records a massive increase in the number of passengers carried, year after year. In terms of urban development, the underground plays a major role in increasing the number of inhabitants and in attracting investments, which lead to economic and financial stability and growth. To that end, the authorities elaborate projects that are worth tens of millions of euros, thus encouraging the business sector. Let’s take a look at several cities from the Wider Black Sea Area.
Prague (Czech Republic). In terms of investments allocated for the underground system, Prague stands to be an example for Europe. The underground network has a total length of 60 km and in 2008 and 2009 the authorities decided to extend the lines. USD 927 Million were invested in the extension of Line C. In April 2010, Prague initiated the extension of Line A by 6 km, adding 3 more stations. The project has a value of EUR 745 Million, of which 250 Million represent European co-financing. The rest will come from the local budget. The development programme also includes a 6.9 km underground extension to the Letiste Ruzyne airport, as well as the construction of a new line (Line D), which will be 11 km long. This project requires investments of around EUR 1.5 Billion and the opening is scheduled for 2013. There is also a project for the construction of Line E.
Kiev (Ukraine). The authorities, together with the Ukrainian government, decided to invest in the extension of the underground network, which currently has 3 lines (56.5 km) and 46 stations. The development strategy for 2009-2025 stipulates the construction of two additional underground lines and three extensions. Once the projects are finalized, the underground network in Kiev will have 100 stations and the total length will be doubled. All these projects are financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which also finances the entire transport system of the Ukrainian capital.
Istanbul (Turkey). Of all the cities part of the Eurasian area, Istanbul has the most ambitious projects for the development of the underground system. Here, the underground network has two main lines: the European line (8.5 km) and the Asian line (21.66 km). Works are currently being developed for the extension of the Asian line by 16 additional stations. As for the extension of the European line, the project is currently being developed and it includes the construction of 14.5 additional kilometers (according to the project, the European line will be 23 km long). EUR 750 Million have been allocated from the local budget for the extension projects.
Moscow (Russia). The authorities in Moscow have proven that the underground can, in fact, be the main means of transport of a city. From a total of over 10 million inhabitants, around 9 million use the underground system during work days. The network is 298.2 km long and has 180 stations. It connects the central area of the capital to the industrial and residential areas.
Even though this is one of the largest underground systems in the world, the authorities have elaborated projects for its extension and for the construction of new lines. The most recent project includes the construction of a second underground ring which will be connected to the metropolitan area. In the next 10 years, the authorities plan to build a new underground system with a new set of junctions, as well as a suburban underground line. In order to improve transport, RZD will also be involved in the development of the underground system.
Bucharest (Romania). Like other big cities, Bucharest plans to extend its underground network. The biggest challenge in terms of public transport is the construction of the Drumul Taberei – Universitate underground section, whose implementation requires an investment of EUR 883 Million. Of the total amount, EIB will allocate EUR 395 Million and the rest of the amount will come from the state budget. In May 2010, the Romanian government adopted a law draft related to the financing contract between Romania and EIB and, according to estimates, the project should be finalized in 2015.
The second largest project is the construction of an underground rail link between Henri Coandă International Airport and Romania’s largest station, Gara de Nord. In June 2010, the government approved the loan granted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The agreement signed by the two parties stipulates the allocation of EUR 338.9 Million from the total value of the project: EUR 1.05 Billion. The project should be finalized in 7 years. The underground development strategy includes the construction of 100 additional stations and over 70 km of tunnels by 2025.
by Pamela Luică
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