– This is the symbolic opening of a new chapter in the development of rail transport in our region. We are rebuilding more lines, restoring rail connections to places where they were once part of everyday life, combating transport exclusion and proving that Lower Silesia is the infrastructure heart of Poland – says Paweł Gancarz, marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.
The line to Karpacz joins the railway connections revitalized in Lower Silesia in recent years thanks to funding from the regional government.
Return beneath Śnieżka after 25 years
The return of rail services to the Karkonosze resort is a historic event made possible by a local-government program to rebuild and revitalize disused railway lines—an initiative unparalleled in scale in Poland. After Bielawa, Trzebnica, Chocianów and Świeradów-Zdrój, Karpacz, one of Lower Silesia’s tourism gems, has also returned to Poland’s railway map.
– In this way, we are counteracting transport exclusion among the residents of Lower Silesia. This program is being successfully implemented with the people of Lower Silesia in mind. Residents and tourists have regained a convenient, fast and environmentally friendly way to reach Karpacz, as well as the opportunity to use trains for everyday travel. More than 13,000 residents of Karkonosze municipalities, along with tourists from across Poland, can once again enjoy direct access to rail – adds Marshal Paweł Gancarz.
Rail has returned to the capital of the Karkonosze after a quarter of a century.
– This is more than a new connection in the timetable—it is the beginning of a new way of thinking about traveling around Poland, as well as an opportunity for development for smaller towns and a renaissance for the entire idea of traveling by train to mountain resorts – says Michał Rado, deputy marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship responsible for railway development.
As many as 14 train pairs on weekends
From Sunday, all travelers will be able to go to Karpacz by train.
– Twelve train pairs per week will operate on the Jelenia Góra–Karpacz route, and as many as 14 on weekends. The fastest KD Sprinter service will cover the distance in just 18 minutes, while the journey from Wrocław to the mountain resort will take a little over 2 hours and 30 minutes. Importantly, retro trains will also operate: historic rolling stock run by the Railway Enthusiasts’ Club, which will appear on the tracks on weekends and holidays – explains Damian Stawikowski, president of Koleje Dolnośląskie.
Local government officials had been waiting for the project.
– The Lower Silesian regional government is consistently showing all of Poland how to bring railways back to life. For us, the return of trains to Karpacz is excellent news, because Jelenia Góra has today become a complete interchange station on the railway route toward the Karkonosze resorts – says Jerzy Łuźniak, mayor of Jelenia Góra.
The revitalization of this line is also a tremendous opportunity for tourism development throughout Karkonosze County. Interest in connections to Karpacz is coming from all over Poland, and in summer Lower Silesia is visited by large numbers of people from every corner of the country.
– I am convinced that launching the railway line to Karpacz will provide a major boost to the economic development of the entire county. Everyone will benefit from this investment—not only tourists, but also residents of our towns, who will gain easier access to work and schools – says Krzysztof Wiśniewski, head of Karkonosze County.
Until now, Karpacz could be reached only by private car or bus. The train will nevertheless be a much faster option, as people in the town at the foot of Śnieżka point out.
– We are waiting for tourists at Karpacz station! It is always better to reach us on a luxurious Koleje Dolnośląskie train than by car. Especially since the route from Jelenia Góra to Karpacz is one of the most beautiful in the country. We hope the railway will solve our problems with traffic-clogged streets. After all, huge numbers of visitors come here – says Radosław Jęcek, mayor of Karpacz.
Such a large number of connections will also serve the residents of the Podgórzyn and Mysłakowice municipalities, who will gain the opportunity to travel by train to school, work or university.
Lower Silesia sets railway trends
Lower Silesia currently has Poland’s fastest regional trains. The program combating transport exclusion and restoring connections to smaller towns that had been out of service for years has already given nearly several hundred thousand residents of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship back access to rail transport.
Connections to Karpacz will become the next destination in the Karkonosze reached by Koleje Dolnośląskie trains. Direct connections already link Wrocław with Szklarska Poręba, while in Jelenia Góra passengers can transfer to trains to Świeradów-Zdrój, opening further opportunities for comfortable sightseeing in the southern part of the region.
The program to revitalize railway lines in Lower Silesia was launched during the previous term of the regional government. Thanks to good cooperation with the government and PKP PLK, the regional government efficiently carried out the process of taking over more than twenty railway lines that had been unused for years, gradually revitalizing them and restoring them to service for residents.
Karpacz celebrates—with a retro train and railway festival
The official opening of the line was only an introduction to the celebrations. On Saturday, June 14, a special retro train will run between Jelenia Góra and Karpacz.
– Tickets will be issued directly on the platform, both for the journey to Karpacz and the return trip. Attention: the ticket price is zero złoty! The number of seats is limited, and tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to those who register on site – invites Mateusz Masłowski, director of the Lower Silesian Roads and Railways Service.
Retro trains are not all there is. A festival with numerous attractions will take place all day in front of Karpacz station, including inflatables for children, prize competitions, military pea soup and stalls filled with promotional items presented by Koleje Dolnośląskie, the Marshal’s Office of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship and local associations.