The official opening of the modernized railway line on the Legnica–Węgliniec section (78 km) took place on Wednesday, November 12. A train from Legnica to Bolesławiec reached a speed of 166 km/h for the first time. What does this mean for passengers? “For passengers of Przewozy Regionalne, at present, not much,” admits Witold Ziółkowski, director of the Lower Silesian Branch of Przewozy Regionalne. “The effect will be noticeable when the modernization of the section to Wrocław is completed,” he adds.
“Modernization work is underway between Wrocław and Legnica, and we plan to complete it by mid-2010,” notes Jerzy Dul, chief director of the regional branch of PLK PKP in Wrocław. In the third quarter of 2010, trains from the capital of Lower Silesia to Zgorzelec will be able to travel at 160 km/h along the entire section.
Let us recall that Bolesławiec is home to the most modern railway traffic control center in Poland. Train traffic at five stations is controlled from a single location. Now, operating the 78-kilometer route requires only three traffic controllers. Thanks to the system, many trains can be put on one track—one after another—which means that trains from Legnica to Węgliniec take considerably less time.
The modernization of the Legnica–Węgliniec railway line cost 195 million euros. Seventy-five percent of the work was financed by the European Union, with the remainder contributed by the state. “I think it will certainly be better after the station and platforms are rebuilt,” Teresa Zimmermann, deputy head of the nationwide trade union of traffic controllers, told the IstotneInformacje.pl portal. However, she adds that local government officials should also take an interest in the new PKP timetable, which will come into effect on December 14: “A very important problem—in the draft timetable, the last train from Wrocław toward Węgliniec leaves at 18:44. Students and people returning from central Poland have no transport after 19:00. 18:44 is definitely too early!”
According to the deputy head, there are also not enough trains to Wrocław running on Saturdays and Sundays at 5:16. At present, the first weekend train departs an hour later. Students have difficulty arriving at classes on time. Teresa Zimmermann appeals to city and county councilors for help.
(information ii)