Everyone was waiting for this. After 20 years, a Polish city will get its trains back
An important moment is approaching for the inhabitants of the Polish city. Finally, after years of break, long-distance trains will appear here.
Preparations for the revitalization of railway line No. 190 are underway. This means the possible restoration of traffic on the route from Bielsko-Biała to Szotczów, which has been suspended since January 2009. Thanks to this, in the longer term, it will be possible to connect Cieszyn with Krakow, which will stimulate tourism in Cieszyn Silesia, and will provide residents of this region with easy transport to the capital of Lesser Poland. However, the investment implementation costs increased from PLN 350 million to over half a billion zlotys. It will take at least three more years to see the results of the work.
Suspended trains will return soon
On January 10, 2009, trains on the Cieszyn – Bielsko-Biała Główna – Cieszyn route were suspended. Since then, the route has remained unserviced, which significantly impedes communication for residents of the border region. A shadow of a chance for change appeared three years ago, when people started talking about a project to restore traffic on this route. According to the Local Government Portal, a meeting of a local government delegation with representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure was recently held in Warsaw. Unfortunately, the cost of the renovation turned out to be much higher than expected. Instead of PLN 350 million, you will have to pay up to half a billion zlotys.
Residents of Silesia will go to the Beskids
The fastest long-distance trains will appear in Cieszyn only in 2029, twenty years after the suspension of traffic. “The inhabitants of Silesia want to come to the Beskids, and we know perfectly well that Skoczów is congested. (…) I am glad that this line will be built and will relieve car traffic,” said the then mayor of Skoczów, Mirosław Sitko, on the occasion of signing the implementation contract.
Cieszyn will also benefit from the investment, as it may also attract tourists from the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. It is one of the oldest cities in Silesia and throughout Poland. Historical evidence can be admired, among others: visiting the remains of the Piast castle in Cieszyn.
