Roads, Railways, Airports – How to Build the Transport System of the Future?
The panel participants examined how to balance the development of road, rail, and air infrastructure to ensure transport accessibility for citizens regardless of their place of residence.
The panel was moderated by Wojciech Piórkowski, Member of the Coordinating Council, “Yes to CPK” Association.
The panelists were:
Robert Warwas, Member of Parliament, Sejm of the Republic of Poland Robert Pietryszyn, Partner, Butterfly Strategies Sp. z o.o. Patryk Wild, Member of the Management Board, “Yes to CPK” Association Sławomir Siwy, Independent Councillor of the Nysa Municipality, “Yes to CPK” Association Iwona Budych, President of the Transport Exclusion Association, Plenipotentiary of the Mayor for Public Transport in the Municipality of Kąty Wrocławskie, “Yes to CPK” Association Paulina Matysiak, Member of Parliament, Sejm of the Republic of Poland
The moderator asked for comments on what constitutes the biggest barrier in transport infrastructure—or what can be considered a success.
The panelists responded in turn:
Iwona Budych – there is a need for residents’ willingness to carry out investments, without which it is impossible to build such infrastructure. Robert Warwas – the voice of the people is important; without it, decision-makers do not know how to act. Paulina Matysiak – the rising popularity of discussing transport exclusion and a gesture of appreciation toward citizens for influencing the government’s shift in attitude toward the CPK project. Robert Pietryszyn – three barriers: politics in Poland, lack of communication in urban transport about what is good and what is not, and bureaucracy. Sławomir Siwy – disrespect for citizens’ voices regarding CPK, misleading citizens about transport exclusion. Patryk Wild – the glorification of cars as a symbol of freedom and building infrastructure primarily for cars, the liquidation of several thousand kilometers of railway lines, and the collapse of non-urban public transport. There is a need to build standards for non-urban public transport.
According to the moderator, transport exclusion is a conversational problem—people talk about it, but nothing gets done.
Iwona Budych emphasized that transport exclusion is a very media-friendly slogan, but beyond promises, there is no implementation. In recent years, changes have emerged, and significant steps have been taken toward reducing transport exclusion. The two groups most affected are seniors—about whom almost no one speaks—and pupils finishing primary school, who must choose schools they can reach, not those they are interested in. There is a need for transport service standards.
The moderator asked whether, for the Nysa municipality, it is more important that the project be completed faster or more comprehensively.
According to Sławomir Siwy, infrastructure is what matters. There is a problem with the Sudeten Foothills main line, for which there are no funds, and there is concern about competition with Opole, which the line does not pass through.
Continuing the discussion, the moderator asked how to systemically secure key investments to maintain continuity after elections.
According to Paulina Matysiak, consistency is necessary. If we have decided to build something, subsequent governments should not change that decision. Stable financing of contracts related to transport implementation is needed.
Robert Pietryszyn stressed that changes in timelines are political decisions, because elections take place every four years, not every ten.
Next, the moderator asked about supply and demand in rail transport in Poland.
Patryk Wild noted that the Dolnośląskie Railways Company was meant to operate as efficiently as possible, but the supply of services increased without increasing subsidies. The condition for developing transport services is improving infrastructure; meanwhile, rail services are not competitive with roads due to the lack of a rail network. It is difficult to generate demand without attractiveness. New tracks must be built.
The next question from the moderator concerned the Sudeten Foothills main line as a strategic corridor for the state and an important regional investment for citizens.
Sławomir Siwy stated that the region requires modernization and electrification. In his view, politicians mislead the public by sometimes saying there is no money for the line, then publicly claiming it will be built, and when one writes to the ministry, the response again confirms a lack of funds.
Robert Warwas emphasized that the Railway Plus Program is implementing over 30 projects in Poland. In his view, local governments see enormous benefits from CPK. Amid political conflicts, the loudest opposition comes from local governments unrelated to CPK.
Sławomir Siwy asked why investments in airports and railways succeeded in the past—and answered himself: because there was pressure and a deadline for action. Earlier, it was Euro 2012; now that sense of urgency is missing.
