SHORT DESCRIPTION

Transport plays an instrumental role in Warsaw’s green growth vision. The city is continuing to build a high-quality

transport system to facilitate the movement of people and goods, improve the quality of life for citizens and minimise

environmental impact.

The city has set out six main objectives linked to its transport vision:

• stimulating economic growth and urban spatial order

• improving the natural environment while minimising the disturbance of transport for residents

• improving the city’s image

• guaranteeing access through internal and external connections

• improving travel standards, including the accessibility of the transport system

• improving traffic safety and the safety of the transport users

To achieve its vision, Warsaw is implementing a large-scale investment plan to modernise its public transport system.

It is building high-quality urban rapid rail and public bus systems and frequently extends and upgrades its tram and

subway networks. It is also improving the service by renovating its rolling stock and bus fleet, upgrading the public

transport stops and stations, and introducing IT management systems.

This high-quality public transport system is complemented by other measures aimed at promoting alternative

transport modes and facilitating multimodal travelling. The city is building an extensive urban network of cycling

paths and bike parking facilities, setting up a modern bike sharing system, and improving conditions for walking. It is

also creating a network of transfer nodes (e.g. park&ride) and integrated ticketing systems to encourage multimodal

trips.

FINANCING

Warsaw uses a mixture of local, national and European funds to finance its large investment plan and achieve its

vision. It uses the city budget, bank loans - including loans from the European Investment Bank - and EU funds (mainly

the Cohesion Fund).

CUTTING CARBON & CREATING GROWTH IN WARSAW

The Warsaw integrated modern transport system will facilitate the movement of people and goods and make the city

an attractive place to live, work and do business. It will also contribute to reducing GHG emissions. By the end of

2013:

• Line 1 of the subway system (23km, 21 stations) is already in use, while the central stage of line 2 (6.7km, seven

stations) will be operational in autumn 2014. When complete, the line 2 is expected to reach 31km in length and

have 27 stations.

• The modernisation of the urban rapid rail network has started (97km, 10 stations and 37 stops).

• The public transport bus fleet has been renovated, including the purchase of 829 more energy-efficient buses, 149

trams, 22 subway carriages and 23 urban rapid rail carriages (by 2012).

• 13 park&ride facilities with 4,090 parking places have been constructed.

• 370 km of cycling paths, 265 bike parking facilities and 2,900 parking spaces for bicycles have been constructed.

• Cycling increased by 110% on average and 160% during rush hours over the period 2010-2012.

• A successful public bike sharing system, Veturilo, has been established: 174 stations, 2,700 bicycles, 150,000 users,

and around 3 million journeys (11,000 per day).

LESSONS LEARNT

• A high-quality integrated transport system can increase the attractiveness of a city and significantly reduce its

carbon footprint. Thus, it is important to connect the city’s mobility strategies to its economic growth and energy

strategies.

• The city’s long-term mobility strategy and vision should be combined with well-defined objectives and specific and

quantifiable targets.

• The wide variety of actions and measures might obstruct the implementation of the city’s mobility strategy. Well-

defined priorities and a detailed plan B (in case something goes wrong) can ensure the city’s overall goal and targets

are achieved.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

• Political support for large-scale transport investments.

• The city’s transport strategy is connected to its economic growth, spatial planning and energy strategies.

• Building an integrated public transport system that offers several alternatives to commuting and facilitates

intermodal travel.

THE CASCADE EXPERIENCE

Warsaw shared its experiences and ideas for promoting sustainable mobility with delegates from Bratislava, Stockholm,

Sunderland and Tirana during a CASCADE study visit on 19-20 September 2013.

The visitors were able to get an insight into Warsaw’s transport system and learn about the city’s sustainable transport

strategy and vision. In addition, they acquired more knowledge of its work on electro-mobility.

The visit was beneficial both for the visitors and the hosts. The visitors obtained valuable information about developing a

high-quality integrated urban transport system, while hosts obtained useful recommendations to successfully implement

their ambitious transport investment plan (e.g. well-defined priorities, action plan B).

MORE INFO City of Warsaw: http://www.um.warszawa.pl/en Transport issues: Mieczysław Reksnis, Director of Roads and Transportation Department, E-mail: drogownictwo@um.warszawa.pl, mreksnis@um.warszawa.pl, Tel: 22 443 06 54, 22 443 06 55 Web-site: http://bit.ly/1s3SuE1