The Clean Transport Zone, like any change, raises many questions and questions
photo. Brand Lasyk
By the resolution of the Krakow City Council of November 23, the Clean Transport Zone (SCT) will be introduced throughout Krakow. The councilors adopted the resolution, despite the fact that in the parliament they themselves pointed out numerous shortcomings of this document when asking for a vote. Among the selected arguments “against” high inflation, exclusion of poorer people, lack of special support programs in vehicles, lack of means of transport, e.g. metro, facilitating communication after the implementation of SCT, were found.
With the concern of many users expressing e.g. in the comment, the network magistrate enters the entry that SCT is primarily aimed at improving air quality. As noted, the SCT “raises many complaints and questions; along with a lot of inaccuracies.”
In a real office, he answers the questions: Is Krakow a city in Europe with such a zone? Is SCT within the scope of natural action? Is SCT a better and longer life?
The magistrate added that the introduction of restrictions on entering the city for the most poisonous cars is an increasingly popular and effective tool in the fight for improving air quality. This year, the number of clean transport zones in Europe exceeded 320.
The City Hall of Krakow as a city with an operating SCT area indicated London – there the zone allows the central part of the city, the so-called Inner London. To an area of about 450 kilometers, when all of Krakow during 327 sq km. According to Krakow officials, from August 2023, SCT covers all of London, i.e. an area of 1,579 sq km. nitrogen dioxide (NO2) decreased by 44%. in 2020 in the region by 2016, and soot noise levels have decreased by 50-60%.
According to the announcement of the City of Krakow, there are over 800,000 in the capital of Lesser Poland. inhabitants approx. 500 thousand. commercial cars. Unofficial data showing that the number of inhabitants is higher due to students studying in Krakow and immigrants from Ukraine.
Opponents of the resolutions point out that there is no clear data on how many cars in Krakow at the moment do not meet the standard. According to frequently cited estimates, up to approx. 100,000 or about 250 thousand.
SCT in Krakow will be fully operational from July 1, 2026. Petrol/LPG cars will not enter the city before 2000, diesel cars larger by 2010. According to the data of the Public Transport Authority, there were 21.4 percent of such cars in Krakow’s traffic. in December 2021
When the resolution is in force, from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026, a city that did not get a European car before 1992, and petrol/LPG cars registered since 1992 and diesel cars manufactured since 1996 will enter which were registered before March 1, 2023. Cars registered after March 1, 2023 will be subject to stricter restrictions – petrol/LPG cars will not enter before 2000, and diesel cars from 2010.
SCT will not apply to vintage cars; technological services; disabled people; food trucks; people over 70 years of age.
Cars authorized to move around Krakow are to have a sticker on the windshield. The city guard has the authority to verify the work permit. Drivers of cars that do not meet the SCT requirements will pay a fine of PLN 500.
The foundation of the SCT in Krakow was voted by the councilors of the Platforma-KO, Modern Krakow, Friendly Krakow, and Krakow for Residents clubs. Law and Justice councilors were against it. The project originator of Głosy is the mayor of Krakow, Jacek Majchrowski.
“The records that are the chairman of Mayor Majchrowski, which the Coalition voted out, are much higher than the SCT in Berlin, a richer city with a subway, fast train, park&ride car parks,” Michał Drewnicki (PiS), deputy chairman of the Krakow City Council, told PAP. His ruling would either set a deadline for the establishment of the SCT or relax the rules to ban entry only to those rare, most air-polluting vehicles.
The vice-president of Krakow, Andrzej Kulig, is very good that he evaluates it very positively, which, among others, restricts the right of ownership, although lawful; It represents a sense of injustice towards people who will not enter the city. However, this resolution – the vice president – is needed and there will be time to prepare for its entry into force. “Apart from concern for economic aspects, what would be concern for the health and lives of other people,” said Kulig.
Call support supporting activists from the Krakow Smog Alert. According to their station at Al. Three Bards, where there is a big child of car traffic, shows smog for 105 days a year and shows worse results when it comes to exceeding the PM10 standard and nitrogen appears.