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Green Deal for Polish Railways: rail industry conference

15.03.2021

The modernization of Polish railways towards emission-free standards and increasing its share in both passenger and freight transport were main topics of the "Green Deal for Polish Railways" conference which was organized by PKP Intercity at Polish Press Agency headquarters. During the debate panelists agreed that the use of green energy could be an incentive to attract both passengers and companies to rail transport. In the debate participated Ignacy Góra, President of the Office of Rail Transport and Kamil Wilde, Vice-President of the Office of Rail Transport.

  • Panelists during "Green Deal for Polish Railways" conference (PAP, Photo by Marcin Kmieciński)
  • Ignacy Góra, President of the Office of Rail Transport (PAP, Photo by Marcin Kmieciński)
  • Panelists in Polish Press Agency (PAP) conference room (PAP, Photo by Marcin Kmieciński)
  • Ignacy Góra: “Polish railways are safe and ecological. Even a simple comparison with other EU countries shows that it has great development potential” (PAP, Photo by Marcin Kmieciński)
  • Kamil Wilde: “Passengers’ choices can be determined by many factors. Ecological aspects certainly will be taken into consideration when deciding on transport mode” (PAP, Photo by Marcin Kmieciński)

During the opening debate of the conference "The European Green Deal - challenges for transport and opportunities for railways", Ignacy Góra, President of the Office of Rail Transport, pointed out that the potential of Polish railways is still to be explored and additional opportunities for railways may arise from investments in clean energy such as hydrogen. - Polish railways are safe and ecological. Even simple comparison with other EU countries shows that it has great development potential - said Ignacy Góra. - The EU has designated 2021 as the European Year of Rail. We should seize this opportunity to convince people that rail is safe and reliable mode of transport - he added.

Andrzej Adamczyk, Polish Minister of Infrastructure, reminded that rail companies in Poland, with considerable support from Polish government, started implementing the green deal strategy even before the EU announced this plan in 2019. For instance, an investment package of PKP Intercity for 2016-2023 amounted to PLN 7 bn. It covers purchase of new and modernization of existing rolling stock and technical facilities.

Panelists assessed that opportunities for rail companies are in changing business practices. Many companies which buy transport services pay attention to carbon footprint and are willing to choose clean transport. Railways have enormous pro-ecological potential which can convince new business customers.

During the discussion panel on rail transport and passengers’ attitudes and choices , Kamil Wilde, Vice-President of the Office of Rail Transport, reminded that modern and safe railways are not only a technical issue, but require also properly trained personnel. From 2023 exams for train driver's license and certificate will be uniform state examinations, conducted independently at the Centre for Testing and Monitoring of Train Drivers under the supervision of the President of the Office of Rail Transport. – Passengers’ choices can be determined by many factors. Ecological aspects certainly will be taken into consideration when deciding on transport mode. When we are taking about environment and transport, railways always win - said Kamil Wilde, Vice-President of the Office of Rail Transport.

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