September 24th 2021
Yesterday the #ConnectingEuropeExpress arrived in the Polish capital – Warsaw. This unique train was welcomed at the Central Station by journalists, railroad enthusiasts, and activists – including Europe on Rail coalition. Around noon, the train promoting the European Year of Rail officially entered the platform, where a press conference with Polish and foreign decision-makers was later held. As everyone stressed, the Connecting Europe Express train is only an impulse for further development of the rail, which is to become the European transport of the future.
“It is much more than just a train crossing our continent. It is an example of European cooperation between the railroad sector, public institutions, and all partners involved in this project. The Connecting Europe Express is a living laboratory of what has already been done to improve the functioning of railroads and what still needs to be done to complete the Single European Rail Area and the TEN-T network. “All conferences and train events provide the opportunity for a broad exchange of views on the development of railroads and the full exploitation of its future growth opportunities” – stressed Walter Goetz, Head of Cabinet of Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean.
“The journey of the Connecting Europe train through Poland is part of the European Year of the Railways. Such initiatives increase passenger confidence in the safest and most environmentally friendly mode of transport – rail. This event coincides with the TRAKO international railroad fair in Gdansk, so I am delighted that I will be able to travel just with the Connecting Europe Express” – said Andrzej Bittel, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure before boarding the train.
“Railway investments are of particular importance for Poland. The Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, in consultation with the Ministry of Infrastructure and railroad companies, is preparing a portfolio of investments for the coming years so that, complementing the investments already undertaken, we can complete the implementation of European standards on the entire TEN-T network in Poland and thus ensure a coherent, modern and safe infrastructure. These investments will be implemented from national and EU funds” – said Waldemar Buda, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy.
The event was accompanied by exhibitions of the Polish railroad operator – PKP, the Solidarity Transport Hub, and the Office of Rail Transport related to the promotion of the rail. Around 1:25 p.m. the train set off on its journey and go to Gdansk, where one of the biggest rail events in Poland started today, the 14th International Railway Fair TRAKO, this time with Connecting Europe Express as part of the TRAKO exhibition.
One of the members of the Europe On Rail coalition, The Civil Affairs Institute, will also take an active part in TRAKO during the international conference “Overnight rail travel in Europe” (24 September).
*Source of quotes and more info: https://ec.europa.eu/poland/news/210921_hopon_pl