Big plans for the railway. The new line between Prague and the Baltics is also intended for the rapid movement of troops
Poland, the Czechia and the Baltics are building an interconnected Central European railway network that will ensure common timetables and travel standards across Central Europe, but can also function as an important security and military transport artery. Trains will run from Warsaw at a speed of 250 km/h to Lithuanian Vilnius, Prague, Budapest and possibly even to Kyiv. “We would like to create a common offer for Central Europe, ensure common timetables and a certain standard of travel for everyone. We must also not forget the security aspect of the railway, which is increasingly important during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine,” said the head of the Central Transport Port (CTP) Mikolaj Wild in an interview with WNP domain server. The military importance of the railway lies primarily in the supply and import of aid, soldiers and army equipment to the front.
Poland is negotiating with the Czech Republic to speed up the construction of the railway section between Prague and the Polish border. “Within a horizon of up to 10 years, plus or minus two years, we could get directly from Warsaw to Prague via the new high-speed railway,” says Wild, adding that the main goal of the project remains the railway integration of Central Europe. The route of the Central European Railway should connect Warsaw, Prague, Vilnius, Budapest and possibly also the Ukrainian Lviv and Kyiv.
It should also include a common offer for freight carriers as well as safety issues. “The railway network and its importance is essential and increasingly important in light of the war,” Wild noted, noting that a railway project must meet certain military and security requirements. “The aim was to allow the trains to arrive as quickly as possible with aid, supplies, troops or military equipment if needed,” adds Wild, ensuring that trains on the high-speed line run at speeds of around 250 km/h.
“We don’t forget the fact that the railway is the most efficient way to transport large quantities of people and goods,” said Wild.
Central Transport Port concluded a tripartite agreement with the Czech company Správa železnik and the Baltic giant Rail Baltica (connects Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Finland). The companies agreed to cooperate on the construction of a high-speed rail network across Central Europe. “This agreement strengthens, organizes and formalizes the close cooperation between Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which lasts and will continue for several years,” added the head of the CTP.
According to Wild, the aim of the project is not only to connect railway routes and “places on the map”, but also to create common and connected timetables and ensure a uniform standard for travel. “We want to create a common offer, i.e. the same and common experience for all passengers who will use our network for the Central European region,” confirmed Wild, saying that it should be a unified and connected train system.
The Railway Administration also announced plans for a common Central European railway network on its social networks. “We are not alone in Europe when it comes to high-speed rail. The Railway Administration in Warsaw has just now signed a memorandum with the Central Transport Port and Rail Baltica, which confirms our joint main plans to build almost 4,500 km in the Trojmoří region,” added Martin Švehlík, director of the Administration’s construction administration.
It is far from just a matter of reducing travel times for the journey from north to south. It is a challenge that can bring a new economic impulse for the entire region. We will therefore coordinate investments, jointly promote them and also strive for adequate EU support. pic.twitter.com/eDweZbLw2u
— Martin Švehlík VRT (@MartinSvehlikSZ)
January 18, 2023
It is far from just a matter of reducing travel times for the journey from north to south. “It is a challenge that can bring a new economic impulse for the entire region. Therefore, we will coordinate the investments, jointly promote them and also use the corresponding EU support,” added Švehlík, adding that they will coordinate co-financing from the EU and prepare two cross-border sections with Polish partners.