As you may know, Poland is the most accommodating country toward the Ukrainian people. The UN states that over 14 million people are thought to have fled their homes since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Poland has taken the most, as you can see from the numbers below.
(Some people who traveled from Moldova to Romania are included in both countries’ totals).
The Help offered
The EU has granted Ukrainians the right to stay and work throughout its 27 member nations for up to 3 years. Poland, which has taken the highest number of refugees, and Moldova, which has the largest concentration of refugees by population, have both asked for international support to help fund their efforts.
The Struggles
Poland has offered many special benefits in order to support the growing number of Ukrainian refugees. For example payments for the households that keep refugees, free use of public transport, extra spots in kindergartens and schools, and free medical benefits (checkups and tests). Unfortunately, due to the high number of people that need help and the lack of funds, the Polish Government has decided to revoke some of the benefits.
The Withdrawal
The families or individuals that have taken refugees into their homes, via a law passed in March, were entitled to a daily payment of 40 zlotych (approximately 8-9 euros). The Government, sometime in April, counted that about 600 000 Ukrainian people benefited from such help.
Last week, though, the deputy interior minister Paweł Szefernaker announced that this benefit will no longer be available. He also mentioned that many refugees chose to return back and mentioned that since the 10th of May there have been more people crossing the border into Ukraine than into Poland.
Starting the 1st of June also the free municipal public for the refugees from Ukraine has been revoked. Free train travel is also off since this month.
All children are cordially invited to play together on the occasion of Children’s Day. This year MPK SA is organizing on May 29 (Sunday) from 12.00 to 15.00 at the Nowa Huta tram depot, at ul. Ujastek 12. There will be plenty of attractions for children, including the possibility of driving a real tram on your own.
Children will also be able to:
Visit places where trams are repaired,
Drive a tram through a car wash,
See technical vehicles and historic vehicles that used to run on Krakow streets in the distant past.
MPK SA has planned games, competitions, and games for the youngest. Interesting prizes are waiting for those who will take part in the competitions.
There will also be trips on which historical vehicles will take participants for a ride around the city
MPK will also talk about security. On the premises of the depot, policemen, city guards and MPK traffic inspectors will appear in their official cars. Children will be able to meet them and ask questions about safe movement in Krakow.
When does the event start?
You will be able to get to the depot in Nowa Huta by unique historic trams, which will leave punctually at 10.30 from the Podgórze tram depot, at ul. J. Brożka 3.
MPK invites all children in Krakow to play together, including those who escaped here from the war in Ukraine. On monitors installed in trams and buses, the invitation to the Children’s Day organized by MPK SA will be displayed in Polish and Ukrainian.
My darlings, it is so nice to have you again dropping over to listen to my rantings. Today I wanted to continue the series of Things You Should Know About Krakow as it seems you have rather enjoyed the first post on this topic. So without any further ado, let me share with you my knowledge. I have lived in Krakow for over 10 years now, so… as I like to point out: SHARING IS CARING! 🙂
1. Validating public transport tickets
In order to use public transport in Krakow – be it a tram or bus – you must first buy a ticket. Small kiosks sell them, but your quickest and safest option is buying them from the MPK vendor machines. You will be able to spot them right away as they are present next to the tram/bus stops and they have the colors of the city: white and blue. The nice thing about them is that you can pay either by cash or card (even PayPass/contactless or BLIK). The menu is in several languages: Polish (main, of course…), English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.
The MPK (Public Transport Authority of Krakow) tickets can be for single usage – 20 min, 40 min, 60 min – but there are also weekend tickets (or week-long or even monthly ones) that you can use on your stay in the city. However, if you will look at point #3 below, and if you plan to really get to know Krakow… you can always walk it and get a tram only if you are tired or if it rains. But when you do take a tram/bus, make sure you do these 2 basic steps: 1) Buy a ticket; 2) When entering the bus/tram make sure you validate it by using the yellow boxes on the bars inside. Without validation your ticket means nothing, and if you will get caught you will have to pay a big fine!
2. Drinking in public
It is illegal to drink in Public in Poland! Don’t even try it as you will get a fine! Public spaces – including parks, benches, and everywhere else you may try to open a beer to cool yourself on a hot day – are off-limits!
You can, however, choose to go to a pub or lay down and enjoy the sun from a terrace, while sipping on your Aperol Spritz or your beer. Outdoor seating areas that are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages do not count 😉 However, if you take your drink and step outside of the premises to have a smoke… you’re up for a fine!
Drinking alcohol in public places can land you in a dry-out cell for the night and you may get also a hefty fine. The legal blood-alcohol limit for driving is just 0.02 percent! The fines can get up to 300 euros + the “prison” sentence for the night, so you can sober up.
3. Book a hotel in Old Town or very near it
If you wish to have a nice stay in Kraków, not be touristy and actually experience the city like a local, then you should book an Airbnb or apartment in the Old Town. Or if you wish to splurge, take a hotel – there are plenty to choose from! Why Old Town, you may ask, rightly so… well… everything is within walking distance. You need not get a cab, or even public transport, as all the most notable places can be reached and discovered on foot.
It is true, the streets in the Old Town are cobbled stoned so high heels would definitely not be a good fit. Think sports shoes and flats and you’ll be fine 😉 plus, by walking you will truly learn and feel the heartbeat of the city. Make sure you check the side streets, the small shops, the old-school architecture of the “Kamienicca” – most buildings in the Old Town are from the 18-1900s. Unlike Warsaw (which was heavily bombed during the Second World War and destroyed almost 90%), Kraków has managed to keep its historic buildings.
4. If visiting avoid June-August (High Season)
I know everybody loves taking time off for holidays during summertime, but if you will choose the months of June, July and August to come visit Kraków, than be prepared for loads of tourists. Those 3 months consist of the High Season here.
Instead of summer, I highly recommend you to try the Polish Autumn. It’s not as hot, the trees are changing their leaves and they look marvelous, you can taste the famous fresh “szarlotka” (PL: apple pie) and local ciders (which are absolutely yummy!). Also, if you are a fan of skiing, winter may be a good time to come over too. The Tatra mountains are near (Zakopane is just a few hours away) and you can enjoy the lovely views.
5. Pre-book tickets for the museums online
Museums in Kraków are definitely worth being put on the list. Everyone will be able to see something interesting: from 19th century paintings as big as an entire wall, by the local artist Jan Matejko, to the Stained Glass windows; from modern art at MOCAK to Spitfires at the Aviation Museum; from real mummies (including a cat mummy!) to pages of the original Book of Death. You name it, Kraków has it!
The best way to experience the museums is without the queues though. For that, you can always go online and reserve and even pay for the tickets. Print them or download them to your phone and just get to the museum at the designated time. There are multiple branches that you can choose from, so just click here for the full list.
In connection with the coronavirus pandemic, the Public Transport Authority in Krakow introduces a change regarding fees for parking cars in park & ride parking lots. From April 1, the parking fee can only be made by a payment card or by making a contactless payment using, for example, a phone or a watch with the NFC function.
The change is dictated by the developing pandemic, and the limitation of coin payments minimizes the possibility of getting infected through contact with the vending machine
Councilors Rafał Komarewicz and Dominik Homa from the presidential club “Przyjazny Krakow” submitted a joint interpellation to the president of Krakow with an application for the purchase of new minibusses and the launch of new bus lines in Krakow.
“We are asking you to buy more Karsan minibusses, which are able to reach more residents with the offer of Krakow public transport” – emphasize the councilors Komarewicz and Homa.
Lack of public transport in certain areas
They point out that due to various difficulties in road traffic and the ownership structure, residents of the areas of Bochenka, Bronowice, Przegorzał, and Wola Justowska streets are doomed to lack of public transport in the vicinity.
The Councillors proposition
The Councillors proposed to launch 2 new bus lines operated by Karsan minibuses:
Bronowice (Widok estate) – Na Błonie – Wola Justowska – Przegorzały – Salwator;
Kurdwanów – Cechowa – Podedworze – Loaf – Łużycka – Nowosądecka – Piaski Nowe or the 2nd option: Kurdwanów – Cechowa – Łużycka – Loaf – Podedworze – Piaski Nowe.
The councilors also ask in the interpellation that the answer to it should include an analysis of the proposed variants. “In the event that it is not possible to service the above-mentioned routes, please provide other communication solutions for the above-mentioned areas” – we read in the interpellation.
Minibusses are already in Krakow!
Let us recall that recently 2 minibusses, Karsany, with a length of approximately 6 m, have arrived in Krakow. There is room for 21 passengers inside. These are the smallest and most agile vehicles in the MPK SA fleet in Krakow.
Higher performance in narrow spaces
As the MPK in Krakow admits, the biggest advantage of these small buses is the ability to drive along narrow streets and through small intersections. Karsan mini buses are expected to perform well on routes such as line No. 176 (Bodzów – Kostrze OSP), where there are both very narrow roads and small loops, where there is very little space to turn back.
Passenger friendly – charge your tablet/phone on the go!
Apart from the maneuverability advantages of the Karsans, the vehicles are also passenger-friendly. They have a low floor. For people in wheelchairs, there is also a special place inside the vehicles and a folding platform by the door. The vehicles were also equipped with a passenger information system, air conditioning, and USB ports for charging the batteries of phones, tablets, and other mobile devices.
Driver comfort – they have that too!
With the driver’s comfort in mind, the door has been designed exclusively for the driver. Panoramic windshield and large mirrors provide excellent visibility for drivers.
How much would it cost?
The purchase of 2 minibusses costs PLN 812 thousand PLN net. Before they can go to the streets and be able to carry passengers, they still have to undergo technical checks.
Marek Gancarczyk, the MPK spokesman, admits that this type of specialized buses are brought to a specific route. So first there is a decision to launch a new line, and then the rolling stock adapted to it as needed.
MPK is modernizing the bus fleet. New electric buses from the pool of 50 purchased by the city carrier are slowly starting to arrive in Krakow.
On Monday, January 25, the first of 50 new electric buses ordered by MPK in Krakow left the Solaris Bus & Coach factory in Bolechowice near Poznań. The bus will be delivered on a special tow truck to the Wola Duchacka Bus Service Station.
After delivery, the technical acceptance of the new bus will begin. It will be carried out entirely at the MPK depot (due to the limitations related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it is currently not possible for these technical approvals to take place at the manufacturer’s factory as before).
50 new buses for Krakow
The contract for the delivery of 50 electric buses and 50 charging devices via a plug-in connector, dedicated to each vehicle, was signed on May 25, 2020. All new buses will carry passengers on four lines No. 144, 173, 179, and partially 503, running through Aleja Trzech Wieszczów, i.e. in the area of the city, where the greatest exceedances of the permissible air pollution standards occur.
The electric buses that Solaris will deliver to Kraków will be driven by axles with integrated electric motors. Articulated buses will be structurally prepared for charging in 2 ways: through a 4-pole roof pantograph located above the first axle of the vehicle or through a plug-in connector. The energy storage will be Solaris High Energy + batteries.
European Union Funds ON!
Electric articulators will be able to offer a journey for 141 passengers at a time, 43 of whom will be able to use seats. The newest buses for Krakow will be equipped with monitoring, passenger information system, air conditioning, USB chargers and an electric heating system. People on wheelchairs will be able to use a platform that will facilitate getting on and off the bus. The ramp will be mounted at the second door. For the purchase of these vehicles, MPK SA obtained approx. PLN 110 million in subsidies from the European Union funds.
These are the next electric buses in the capital of Małopolska. The residents of Krakow can currently use 29 emission-free vehicles.
The article is taken from Gazeta Krakowska – you can find it here in Polish language.
The city commissioned a feasibility study for collision-free transport, including the metro in Krakow. One of the analyzed solutions is the construction of a tram line partially running underground.
The study for collision-free communication in Krakow, including the metro, was to be completed by December 16, 2019. However, there is a long delay associated with the creation of the document. Currently, the office informs that the study should be accepted in the first quarter of 2021.
So far, 4 out of 6 stages of the “Feasibility study for the construction of fast, collision-free rail transport in Krakow” were completed.
informs the Office
Implementation of Stage 4
The magistracy emphasizes that as part of the implementation of stage 4, the prepared documentation is the most extensive and thematically diverse part of the document, which includes:
detailed route mapping for various types of transport and development of a concept along with design drawings;
rolling stock analysis,
train traffic control,
power supply,
assessment of technologies adopted for implementation,
preliminary conservation conditions (opinions and arrangements),
preliminary assessment of legal conditions,
geological and engineering study, geotechnical opinion and hydrogeological study (e.g. based on field research – 140 research holes were made to a total depth of approx. 4500 m),
opinions of municipal units and municipal units (including the Road Administration of the City of Krakow, Public Transport Authority in Krakow, Municipal Investments Board in Krakow, Department of Spatial Planning, Department of Environmental Management, Department of Municipal Traffic Engineer).
What are the current technical possibilities?
The main goal of this stage was to determine the technical possibilities of implementing the new means of transport and to indicate the conditions that should be paid special attention to when performing further works. A multi-sector technical analysis allowed to obtain extremely valuable information in the field of technology of works (both route and station sections) and the construction of the geological substrate.
The optimal rolling stock and its parameters for each of the analyzed variants were also indicated. A very important aspect was the design of routes, stations, and stops in such a way as to preserve the unique character of the city. The areas particularly valuable in terms of monument protection were the center of Krakow and Nowa Huta – they add.
Conservation Works underway
Let us recall that in the case of the metro, the connection on the Nowa Huta – city center – Bronowice route was taken into account. In this case, arrangements were made with the conservation authorities as to the location of underground stops in the center. It was found that they could be located under the Mogilskie roundabout, in the vicinity of the Main Railway Station – under the Nowaka-Jeziorański square and under the square at ul. Karmelicka, where there is now an above-ground car park, and a park is to be built by mid-2022.
Multiple variants were taken into account!
One of the analyzed variants is also the construction of another fast tram line, which would partially run in the tunnel.
“The route of this variant coincides with the route of the variant assuming the implementation of the metro line, however, the tunnel section was designed in the central section, where the greatest difficulties occur on the tram network. The rest of the route is overground with partial use of the existing tram tracks (mainly in the Nowa Huta area), and the construction of new overground infrastructure would be partially required” – explains the Office.
How would the tram tunnel route look like?
The central (tunnel) section would run from the Barei roundabout along ul. Lublańska and Pilotów, where it would intersect with the railway line no. 100. Then the route was mapped towards the Mogilskie roundabout, where it would turn west along ul. Lubicz to the area of the railway station, thus creating a large interchange junction (tram, bus, railway) in this place. Next, the route would run along the outline of the Planty (1st ring road), along Rajska and ul. Reymont, where the end of the tunnel section was established.
The proposed stops for the tunnel part are: Polsadu roundabout, Młyńskie roundabout, Olsza, Mogilskie roundabout, Dworzec Główny, Stare Miasto, and Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza.
The May 2014 referendum
Let us recall that in May 2014, the inhabitants of Krakow voted in favor of the construction of the metro in Krakow in a referendum. In September 2018, the city signed an agreement with ILF Consulting Engineers Polska to develop (for PLN 9.4 million) a study for collision-free communication in Krakow, including the metro. The provisions of the contract were such that the document was to be drafted up to 68 weeks from the date of the contract, but no later than December 16, 2019.
The Polish government plans to minimize the movement of Poles during the Christmas and New Year period. Krakow’s public transport will also operate in a reduced form at this time.
Suspended tram and bus lines!
Fewer rounds, suspended tram and bus lines – these are changes in the Krakow public transport schedule, which are to apply from December 24 to January 8. But now the Public Transport Authority reserves that trams and buses may run according to the changed timetable until January 15th.
Tram lines schedule
For now, from Christmas Eve to January 8, tram lines have been planned:
No. 1, 13, 18, 20, 24 – will run every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes off-peak on weekdays
No. 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 14, 19, 21, 22 – will run on weekdays every 20 minutes throughout the day
No. 3, 8, 50, 52 – will run every 10 minutes on weekdays. Additionally, line 52 will run every 20 minutes on Saturdays
6, 12, 17 – will continue to be suspended
No. 16, 49 – will run on weekdays in the current hours, every 20 minutes
No. 44 – will be restored and will run every 20 minutes during rush hours on weekdays (except 24 and 31 December).
Bus lines schedule
No. 106, 136 – will run on weekdays in rush hours with a frequency limited to 30 minutes
No.111, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181, 271 – timetable adjustments on weekdays will be introduced in order to adapt to the new hours of arrivals and departures of tram lines
132, 166, 429, 482 – will continue to be suspended
No. 137, 179 – will run on weekdays with a frequency limited to 15 minutes
144, 164, 169, 173, 469, 503 – will run during rush hours on weekdays with a frequency limited to 15 minutes
155, 413 – will be suspended in the period from December 24 to January 8
172, 174, 178, 572, 578 – they will run on weekdays with a frequency limited to 20 minutes (line 572 as before only during rush hours)
No. 194 – from December 24 to January 3 it will run on weekdays every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes off-peak; Regular frequency will be restored from 4 January.
Christmas Eve and Christmas
In addition, on December 24, on Christmas Eve, public transport will operate according to daily timetables, with the following changes:
Tram lines:
No. 3, 8, 50, 52 – until approx. 16 will run unchanged, then the frequency will be reduced to 20 minutes
5, 9, 16, 19 – they will not run from approx. 17
No. 13 – will run every 20 minutes all day long
44, 49 – will be suspended.
Bus lines:
No.100, 101, 109, 114, 116, 124, 127, 128, 134, 136, 140, 158, 159, 160, 165, 168, 176, 183, 184, 189, 192, 193, 502, 537, 578 – they will not run from approx. 17
No. 139, 502 – they will run all day every 15 minutes (without peak reinforcements up to 10 minutes)
475, 511, 572 – will be suspended.
On Friday, December 25 – Christmas, public transport will operate according to holiday timetables, with the following changes:
Tram lines:
5, 9, 19 – will be suspended
No. 50 – it will run every 20 minutes all day (except in the morning when it runs every 30 minutes).
Bus lines:
100, 101, 103, 124, 128, 134, 158, 159, 165, 184, 189, 192, 194, 240, 502, 537 – they will run from approx. 13; line No. 134 will perform additional courses: approx. 6.30 from “Cracovia Stadion” and approx. 7 from the “Zoo”.
109, 114, 168, 578 – will be suspended.
On Saturday, December 26 – the second day of Christmas, public transport will operate according to holiday timetables, with the following changes:
Tram lines:
5, 9, 19 – will be suspended
No. 50 – it will run every 20 minutes all day (except in the morning when it runs every 30 minutes).
Bus lines:
100, 101, 103, 124, 128, 134, 158, 159, 165, 184, 189, 192, 194, 240, 502, 537 – they will run from approx. 13; line No. 134 will perform additional courses: approx. 6.30 from “Cracovia Stadion” and approx. 7 from the “Zoo”.
109, 114, 168, 578 – will be suspended.
New Year’s Eve and New Years
On Thursday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve, public transport will operate according to holiday timetables, with the following changes:
Tram lines:
No. 13 – will run every 20 minutes all day long
44, 49 – will be suspended.
Bus lines:
No. 139, 502 – they will run all day every 15 minutes (without peak reinforcements up to 10 minutes)
475, 511, 572 – will be suspended
on the night of December 31 to January 1, the night lines will run according to the current timetables without additional reinforcements.
On New Year’s Day, public transport will operate according to holiday timetables, with the following changes:
Tram lines:
5, 9, 19 – will be suspended
No. 50 – it will run every 20 minutes all day (except in the morning when it runs every 30 minutes).
Bus lines:
100, 101, 103, 124, 128, 134, 158, 159, 165, 184, 189, 192, 194, 240, 502, 537 – they will run from approx. 13; line No. 134 will perform additional courses: approx. 6.30 from “Cracovia Stadion” and approx. 7 from “Zoo”
The construction of the tram line from Krowodrza Górka to Górka Narodowa is in progress. The investment will take 2 years, and during this time the residents will have to take into account considerable nuisance and traffic difficulties. The latest photos & videos (check them out below) show how the construction is going.
Before the 5.5-kilometer-long track to the north of the city is built, a large area must be rebuilt on the section between the Krowodrza Górka terminus and the outskirts of the city on the national road No. 7. Officials from the Municipal Investments Board remind that the construction of the tram line to Górka Narodowa has begun July 8. The construction of the tram line from the Krowodrza Górka terminus to the Górka Narodowa is to take 2 years.
Cutting down trees and leveling the ground
“The first stage of works can hardly be called spectacular, but it is a necessary stage to be able to start the main works: detours are being built, demolition works and preliminary archaeological surveys are underway, underground utilities are being repositioned. Recently, excavations of foundations for segments of the concrete structure, the so-called bathtub, the line of which will run between Kuźnica Kołłątajowska and Banacha Streets. This solution is to reduce the nuisance for the inhabitants of the surrounding buildings” – emphasize in ZIM.
Greenery is gone! Trees replanting?
As part of the construction of the Krakow Fast Tram to the Górka Narodowa, only the greenery that collides with the planned road and tram system has been cleared and reduced to the necessary minimum. To implement the project, 3,477 pieces of woody plants (deciduous and coniferous) will be removed in total.
Due to the extensive infrastructure of the project and collisions with many technical networks, tree plantings in the investment area cannot be carried out in a 1: 1 ratio. Nevertheless, within the boundaries of the investment, 2,680 tree plantings were planned, and the missing 797 trees will be planted as replacement plantings on plots belonging to the Municipality of Krakow.
Where will the tracks lead?
From Krowodrza Górka (where the existing loop will be completely rebuilt), the tram will travel through the green area between the car showroom and the hospital.
At the intersection with ul. Opolska, a two-level intersection will be built. We will go down Opolska Street and the tram line will go higher.
Then the tram will go straight to ul. Pachoński. Before the crossing with Pachońskiego, Park & Ride parking is planned.
The line will run along ul. Pachońskiego, then slightly turn right, connecting the intersections of Pachońskiego and Zielińska streets, and Białoprądnicka and Bularnia streets.
Between the intersections with ul. Bularnia and Pleszowska, the tram will turn left and reach Górnickiego Street, and further, on the southern side of ul. Pachońskiego, to Siewna Street.
At Siewna, the track will be moved to the northern side of the road and between the buildings (behind the buildings at 30 and 32 Siewna Streets) it will reach ul. Bociana.
The tram will reach building No. 17 along Bociana Street, where it will turn north and through the area of the existing concrete plant, towards the railway tracks.
After passing under the railway tracks, the tram will cross ul. Kuźnicy Kołłątajowskiej and ul. Słomczyńskiego, and then behind the estate at ul. Banacha will go straight ahead for a while to turn right towards al. 29th of November. The loop is planned south of ul. Belwederczyk.
What does the investment include?
The route of the Krakow Fast Tram to Górka Narodowa also includes a two-chamber road tunnel with a length of approx. 100 m along ul. Opolska. This solution is to ensure a collision-free and problem-free passage of tram communication from northern housing estates to the city center.
The investment planned for implementation includes: • construction of a tram line with a length of approx. 5 km along with full road infrastructure, including the construction and reconstruction of communication routes, the construction of bicycle paths, the construction of sidewalks and the construction of lighting • reconstruction of the existing Krowodrza Górka tram terminus and construction a new tram and bus terminus in the area of Górka Narodowa • construction of 3 new traction substations and thorough modernization of 1 substation • construction of a multi-level intersection with a tunnel along ul. Opolska • construction of 3 parking lots in the Park & Ride system: – at the Krowodrza Górka tram and bus terminus with approximately 110 parking spaces – at ul. Pachońskiego in the area of ul. Szopkarzy with approx. 94 parking spaces – at the Górka Narodowa tram and bus terminus – a two-level car park with approx. 240 parking spaces • construction of seven engineering structures: – tunnel along ul. Opolska – road flyover over the Sudół valley – tramway overpass over the Sudół valley – footbridge at the level of Szopkarzy and Danka Streets – bridge over the Białucha river – culvert on the Bibiczanka stream – railway viaduct.
How much will it cost? Who will do it?
The task is carried out in the “design and build” mode. According to the contract signed on May 22, 2017, the contractor for the investment is a consortium of companies: Przedsiębiorstwo Usług Technicznych “INTERCOR” Sp. z o. o. and Przedsiębiorstwo Inżynieryjnych Robót Kolejowych “TOR-KRAK” Sp. z o. o. Before selecting the contractor, the City obtained decisions on environmental conditions (March 15, 2016).
The project is co-financed by the European Union from the Cohesion Fund under the Operational Program Infrastructure and Environment for 2014-2020.
The value of the project is in accordance with the financing agreement of 03/10/2017. Total project value: PLN 378,914,203.93 Eligible expenditure under the project: PLN 216,735 206.67 Co-financing from EU funds: PLN 151,233,429.65
More info can be found, in Polish language, on the ZIM KRAKOW page (Zarzad Inwestycji Miejskich w Krakowie).
The increase in ticket prices for public transport in Krakow has become a fact. We will start paying more for tickets from February 2021. The councilors eventually lowered the rates proposed by President Jacek Majchrowski, but we will pay more. A single ticket will cost PLN 6, a 20-minute ticket PLN 4, and a monthly ticket for all lines for persons with a Krakow Card will cost PLN 80. The semi-annual ticket will be a novelty.
We knew this was coming…
The ticket price hike epic started during the summer holidays. The most important changes, after a few corrections, proposed by officials and Jacek Majchrowski, are a 20-minute ticket for PLN 4 (now PLN 3.40) and a one-way ticket for PLN 6.60 (now PLN 4.60). In addition, monthly tickets for one and two lines were to be canceled, and the monthly ticket for all lines was to go from PLN 69 to PLN 96.
What are the new rates for public transport in Krakow?
Such rates would not come into force. The councilors have submitted their proposals as amendments and these will eventually come into force. The decision was made at a city council session during a nightly vote on November 18-19. From February 1, 2021, the following rates will apply:
monthly ticket for one line (on the Krakow Card) – PLN 54 (discounted PLN 27), the ticket now costs PLN 45,
monthly ticket for all lines (on the Krakow Card) – PLN 80 (discount PLN 40)
monthly ticket for all lines (without the Krakow Card) – PLN 148
half-year ticket for all lines (on the Krakow Card) – PLN 420 (PLN 210).
Amendments done by Civic Coalition and Friendly Krakow
Amendments lowering the rates proposed by officials were submitted by councilors from the Civic Coalition and Friendly Krakow (they practically did not differ from each other). 24 councilors from these two clubs voted for. The PiS councilors and 2 councilors from the Kraków dla Mieszkańców club were against. Two councilors abstained.
New tickets available
The novelty is a six-month ticket, which requires the resident to buy a ticket for six months every month, without a day off, and then the ticket for the sixth month will cost PLN 20. Thus, the price of one ticket per month is PLN 70, which is one PLN more than before the increase. The resident will be able to connect his payment card to the city system, and the fee will be automatically charged every month – first PLN 80, and in the sixth month PLN 20.
The councilors also decided to keep a monthly ticket for one line. Its liquidation assumed the original plan of the officials.
Ticket price increases and a change in the entire tariff in Krakow
The pay rise officials explain the crisis caused by the coronavirus epidemic. We are faced with a dramatic decision regarding the further fate of public transport. Annual public transport maintenance is PLN 650 million. Each decrease from this amount will automatically mean decisions of a different nature – a change in the length of the line, frequency of driving, and at a certain threshold will have to have consequences for employment in both transport companies – vice-president Andrzej Kulig argued in October councilors.
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