The management boards of DB Netz AG and PKP PLK S.A. signed the document on 20 September during the InnoTrans trade fair in Berlin. The infrastructure managers of the neighboring countries defined cooperation and the scope of responsibility for operating infrastructure on border sections used in Polish-German cross-border traffic. The agreement’s main provisions include uniform principles for the installation and maintenance of border railway infrastructure equipment, as well as investment planning and preparation. The agreement also regulates traffic management and the allocation of train paths.
– Constructive cooperation between our railway infrastructure managers has a long tradition. Thanks to the new agreement, we are directing further efforts toward the safety and quality of rail traffic between Poland and Germany – emphasizes Dr. Thomas Schaffer, Member of the Management Board for Operations and Timetables at DB Netz AG.
The new infrastructure agreement concerns the following sections: Löcknitz–Szczecin, Tantow–Szczecin, Küstrin/Kietz–Kostrzyn, Frankfurt nad Odrą–Rzepin, Guben–Gubin, Forst (Lausitz)–Tuplice, Horka–Węgliniec, Görlitz–Zgorzelec and Hagenwerder–Krzewina Zgorzelecka–Zittau.
– For almost ten years, cooperation between our countries has been of enormous importance for improving and developing railway infrastructure and transport services. The actions undertaken by both companies are consistent with state policy and coordinated between the railway infrastructure managers – says Andrzej Pawłowski, Member of the PKP PLK S.A. Management Board for Operations.
The principles of cooperation were established by the agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Poland of 14 November 2012 on cooperation in railway communication across the Polish-German state border.
For almost 10 years, the joint DB Netz AG and PKP PLK S.A. Infrastructure Group has supported the expansion of cross-border railway infrastructure. As a result, many projects have been implemented, including the construction of a railway bridge in Frankfurt nad Odrą and maintenance and repair work on the railway bridge between the Görlitz and Zgorzelec stations. In addition, the Pasewalk–Löcknitz, Berlin–Kietz/Kostrzyn, Guben–Czerwieńsk, Cottbus–Forst and Węgliniec–Wrocław lines have been renovated and equipped with modern safety systems. Planned activities include the expansion and electrification of the Angermünde–Szczecin and Hoyerswerda–Horka–Węgliniec sections, as well as the modernization of the bridge over the Oder between Kietz/Kostrzyn.
PKP PLK/ii