An agreement on this matter was concluded by Marshal Paweł Gancarz, together with Deputy Marshals Wojciech Bochnak and Michał Rado, as well as Mayor Jacek Sutryk and Renata Granowska, Deputy Mayor of Wrocław.
– This is an important day for Lower Silesia, and above all for Wrocław and its metropolitan area. It is the result of good cooperation between the regional government and the Wrocław authorities. I would like to thank everyone involved in developing this agreement – says Paweł Gancarz, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.
– Urbancard is once again being honored on KD and Polregio trains. I thank the entire board and the councilors for keeping the promise we made to ourselves during the election campaign. This is the first, extremely important, but not the last gesture of our cooperation – added Jacek Sutryk, Mayor of Wrocław.
Wrocław has the densest railway network of all cities in Poland. In addition, the capital of Lower Silesia has 31 railway stops, including Iwiny stop in the Jagodno district, giving it second place in Poland after Warsaw.
– Local government officials at all levels understand that transport is a matter of civilization, not politics. We will strive to introduce a uniform ticket throughout Lower Silesia – says Deputy Marshal Michał Rado.
Thanks to the agreement, Koleje Dolnośląskie and Polregio trains will become an integral part of Wrocław’s public transport system, while school-age students and seniors over 65 will be able to use them completely free of charge within the city of Wrocław. The agreement will take effect on August 1 and will be concluded between the local governments and railway operators. Officials at all levels will be responsible for financing.
– The agreement will remain in force from August this year until the end of 2025. Discounts within Wrocław will apply both to city residents and to passengers arriving from anywhere in Lower Silesia – explains Renata Granowska, Deputy Mayor of Wrocław.
Similar rules had already applied in the regional capital. Since 2013, holders of Urbancard tickets, as well as paper tickets, could use Koleje Dolnośląskie and Polregio trains at stations with “Wrocław” in their names and at Iwiny stop.
– When running in the election as the Civic Coalition, we promised that an agreement between the regional government and Wrocław would be reached within 100 days. We are fulfilling our election promises; we will strive to ensure that the entire metropolitan area joins this ticket system – says Deputy Marshal Wojciech Bochnak.
A shared ticket is the foundation of a good transport system. Today, it is used in the largest European cities, including Berlin, Munich, Brussels, Vienna, Paris and Barcelona.
– During the election campaign, we promised ourselves that we would resolve this matter within a week. Today we can see that it has been resolved. Urbancard honored on trains – that is what we wanted, we managed to achieve it and, most importantly, it applies to all residents of Lower Silesia – summarizes Marek Łapiński, Deputy Chairman of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Assembly.
Wrocław Główny is the station with the highest passenger turnover in all of Poland, serving nearly 30 million passengers in 2023. More than 60 percent of all regional traffic in Lower Silesia takes place on routes to and from Wrocław. All this means that incorporating trains into the urban transport system will certainly improve its efficiency and residents’ comfort.