PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PKP PLK) has completed the Rzeszow airport rail link which connects travellers to the city centre.
“Polish railways are developing and becoming more and more modern, comfortable and safe. Thanks to the effective use of EU and national funds, including from government programmes, there are more modernised and new railway routes and additional stops and facilities. Transport accessibility increases, passengers receive better travel conditions, which has a positive impact on the quality of life,” Rafał Weber, the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure, said.
The project covered the construction of a 5 km line from Zaczernie village towards the Jasionka airport and the construction of Jasionka Lotnisko rail station. The total length of the new connection from the Rzeszów Główny station to the Jasionka Lotnisko station is nearly 12 km and is served by five stations and stops (Rzeszów Główny, Rzeszów Zachodni, Rzeszów Staromieście, Rzeszów Miłocin anf Zaczernie), and PKP PLK is currently constructiong two more stations (Głogów Małopolski Południowy stop and the new Jasionka Lotnisko station) which will be completed in November.
In addition to the new line to the airport, the project also includes the construction of 14 comfortable stops, increasing transport accessibility for all travellers. Passengers already use 11 additional train stopping places on the routes connecting Rzeszów with Dębica and Przeworsk as well as with Kolbuszowa and Strzyżów.
The project is worth PLN 338.6 million (EUR 73.1 million) and is co-financed by EU funds from the Operational Program Infrastructure and Environment with PLN 196 million (EUR 42.3 million).
A train journey from the citsy centre to the airport in Jasionka takes 13 minutes (from Rzeszów Staromieście stop), which is shorter than by bus or car, while from Rzeszów Main station to the airport, 18 minutes.
“The new railway route to the airport means for residents greater opportunities to use an ecological and comfortable means of transport, which is a rail vehicle.
The effects of PLK SA’s work, such as accessibility, comfort and safety, increase interest in the railway. Travellers are more willing to choose the train. And this translates into reduced road congestion and environmental pollution.” Mirosław Skubiszyński, vice-president of the management board of PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe said.
The project for the construction of Rzeszow airport rail link is part of the investments for the suburban railway agglomeration in Podkarpackie Voivodeship and the 2021 – 2025 governmental programme to modernise and build stops.
Additional stops in Podkarpacie, increasing access to the railway – are also the result of investments of PLK implemented under the Government’s Stop Programme. Since September, Przemyśl Wschodni has been operating on the line no. 91 Kraków – Medyka, Strzyżów Zachodni on the line no. 106 Rzeszów Główny – Jasło and two stops Mielec Południowy and Chorzelów Południowy on the line no. 25 Łódź Kaliska – Dębica. Passengers also gained a collision-free passage under the tracks in Żurawica, facilitating access to trains.
The programme will be implemented until 2025 aiming to deliver increased access to railway transport and passenger comfort. The government has provided PLN 1 billion (EUR 216 million) for projects covering the modernisation of the train stops, the construction of parking spaces and other park and ride and parc and bike facilities. This will contribute to reducing transport exclusion and will enable passengers to have access to commuter and national rail transport and will result in improved internal transport cohesion of the country’s regions.
According to the programme, investments will be supported for access in 60 towns by 2025, and more than 15 towns will gain increased access to rail transport. In Podkarpackie voivodeship, works are to be carried out at nine locations with costs of PLN 32.6 million (EUR 7 million) covering construction of a new stop or platform or modernisation works at the existing stops. In addition, there is also a ‘reserve’ list with other 11 locations estimated at PLN 40.3 million (EUR 8.7 million).
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