- I am very happy that we can present an extremely important programme for the whole Poland today. The purpose of the programme is to reconstruct, restore railway lines - says Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. - This is an important moment as there were liquidations of railway lines in the Third Republic of Poland – continues the Prime Minister.

Increasing passenger connections with voivodeship capital cities

The Railway Plus Programme is addressed to local government units or metropolitan associations that are interested in developing their own railway infrastructure. The government plans to supplement the existing railway network with passenger connections to voivodeship capital cities. This applies to cities with more than10,000 residents. An important element of the co-financing of the project is taking into account communication needs of the residents. The modernisation covers places with access to the railway but the existing infrastructure requires improvement, e.g. in the form of passing loops or railway sidings. The planned implementation deadline of the programme is the year 2028.

- Poland cannot develop only in a facade way, as some used say. There must be a foundation, and that foundation is to provide an axis, a communication grid, also railroad grid - something that increases the prospects for the development of smaller towns and rural areas - emphasises the head of Polish government.

Improving the quality of life of the citizens

The Railway Plus Programme will contribute to further elimination of transport exclusion. The goal is to provide better access to rail connections between smaller towns and voivodeship capital cities. The new rail connections will improve the living conditions of the citizens and tourists and will increase attractiveness of various regions of Poland.

- Poland is not an archipelago of rich cities only. In Poland, millions of people, the majority of Poles, live in smaller and medium-sized towns. We do not forget about them and we also make it possible to plan development in a better way, to move from place to place by means of the railway connection which we reconstruct and will continue reconstructing faster over the next few years through the Railway Plus Programme - emphasises the Prime Minister.

Travelling by rail is one of the most environmentally friendly means of transport. It can be used for the daily commute to work or school and for tourist purposes. Also, local investments have a positive influence on the economy.

- Railway is back in fashion. And it’s good news. It makes me very happy. Railway is a safe, efficient, fast and environmentally friendly means of communication. It is very good that people start travelling by rail again - says Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Approximately 6,000 km of modernised railway tracks

We place great emphasis on the modernisation of Polish railway. Since 2015, we have modernised and constructed more than 800 railway stations, stops and approximately 6,000 km of railway tracks.

Today, long-distance trains in Poland serve nearly 470 stations in 415 towns. This is over 140 stations more than seven years ago. Currently, construction works are being carried out on many more railway stations. The value of investments in progress on railway lines amount to over PLN 40 billion.

- We have public finances under control again. We allocate the funds to what is most important, that is, to development, future, connection, increasing professional opportunities, investments through the development of the railway in Poland - emphasises the head of Polish government.