Q: Poland lags behind other countries in terms of quality standards in rail transport. In the past there was much talk about transferring to Poland a high-speed train system, like Hikari, TGV or Pendolino. But these plans came to nothing: each system turned out to be too expensive or not suitable for our conditions. Is it sensible and realistic to return to the high-speed train concept now that you have started cooperation with Spanish partners?
A: It certainly is. It is a government programme which will be partially funded from the EU’s Cohesion Fund. The high-speed railway is the most modern system for inter-urban transport and has the greatest potential for growth. High-speed trains will stimulate the economic development of the cities and regions they will be passing through. Modern rolling stock is more energy efficient and consequently contributes to reducing the amount of pollution emissions to the environment. The experience of other rail operators is very valuable to us. We share the opinion of the countries which see high-speed railway systems as a good, environment-friendly and safe alternative to other modes of transport, and invest in these systems. Cooperation with Spain, which has been developing its high-speed railway lines very rapidly, will enable us to exchange experience regarding technical standards for the rail infrastructure and legislative changes needed for Poland to carry out the high-speed train programme as successfully as Spain.
Q: Considering the problems with the implementation of the road and motorway construction programme, it seems the railways could be the principal means of transport for football fans during the UEFA Euro 2012 football championship to be hosted by Poland. How long would it realistically take to launch a high-speed railway system in Poland?
A: By 2012 we will have adjusted more than 800 km of railway lines to speeds of 160-200 km per hour. As a result, football fans will be able to travel fast between cities which will host Euro 2012 matches. Of course, the railway modernisation programme is not carried out to cater for the needs of football fans alone. The modernised lines are to serve Polish people and foreign visitors for many years to come. The high-speed railway will be developed in two stages. The first phase will involve converting the existing railway line from Warsaw to Kraków and Katowice in southern Poland into a high-speed line. The second phase will involve the construction of a railway line from Wrocław and Poznań to Warsaw via Łódź. The technology we want to use enables the train to travel at a speed of 300-350 km per hour. 2020 is a realistic date for completing the programme.
Q: I suppose your associates already have all the important specifications for the project on their computers, including impressive visual representations. How, you think, will the Polish high-speed railway system look like in several years’ time? Will it be an imitation of systems existing in other European countries?
A: A feasibility study on the project has not been completed yet and it is too early now to speak about specific technical solutions to be used. We are aware that the coming years may see new developments in railway technology and we want to keep up with technological change. We will gladly take advantage of state-of-the-art foreign solutions but we have engaged a large group of Polish railway researchers in the preparation of the concept. A reliable, fast, safe and passenger-friendly railway linking Poland’s largest urban centres is supposed to be the end product of their work.