Polish rail to receive €624 million in 2013

Polish rail authority PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PKP PLK) is to receive PLN2.6 billion (€624 million) in funding next year to invest in upgrading and expanding the country’s rail network.

Poland’s Minister of Transport Slawomir Nowak said the funds would come from tax receipts.

“This year, the excise tax division gave PLN2 billion (€480 million) to PKP PLK for investment purposes. Next year it will be PLN2.6 billion (€624 million) as a necessary part of our capital investment. Investment in turn will grow and grow, as this is a historical necessity,” Mr Nowak said.

He added that renewal projects would also be the priority in the new EU financial perspective for 2014 to 2020, while state funds and the possibility of public-private-partnerships would also boost spending.

“Poland needs renewed connections between cities, so that Poles can quickly and comfortably move around our country,” Mr Nowak said. He added that the Ministry had already completed work on an Implementation Document, which sets out criteria such as traffic levels and increasing the speed of journeys.