Kraków Fast Tram

Kraków Fast Tram Krakowski Szybki Tramwaj (KST)
Politechnika station
Operation
Locale	Kraków, Poland
Open	2008
Lines	2
Operator(s)	MPK Kraków
Infrastructure
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Propulsion system(s)	Electricity

Kraków Fast Tram (Polish: Krakowski Szybki Tramwaj) is a light rail network being developed in Kraków alongside the existing tramway.

It consists of several modernized or purpose-built tram tracks with radio-controlled absolute priority on crossings, a 1.4 kilometres (4,600 ft) long tunnel under Kraków Główny railway station with two underground stops and a 0.6 kilometres (0.37 mi) long overpass over Kraków Płaszów rail station. Unlike many light rail systems, Kraków Fast Tram is not separate from regular tramway lines: the tracks are a part of the wider "classic" tramway network and are used by ordinary trains, which benefit from moving through a fast tram corridor. The stops at the fast tram tracks are equipped with an electronic passenger information system showing estimated departure times live. As of 2017, the system is also installed on other, less modern tram lines.

History

The first fast tram line was opened on 12 December 2008,^[1] more than 30 years since construction started;^[2] however due to the missing tracks through Płaszów, it temporarily used the link through Kazimierz and Podgórze districts, where short lengths of track were not in its own right-of-way but were connected to the traffic light control system and passenger information system. That gap was eliminated when the light rail overpass over the rail station in Płaszów opened on 30 August 2015. The construction costs amounted to 164 million złoty, of which 67 million was covered by EU funds. It incorporates a tram stop with stairways and elevators to the rail platforms underneath and can be used by both pedestrians and cyclists, in addition to trams and emergency vehicles.^[3]

Lines

In addition to the ordinary lines, there are two "fast tram lines" that run at up to 5 minute intervals^[4] on the fast tram tracks:

Line	Start	End	Travel duration	Stops	Frequency (minutes)	Hours of service
	Papierni Prądnickich (in the future - Górka Narodowa P+R)	Borek Fałęcki	45 mins	23	5 to 10	5:00 - 23:30
	Czerwone Maki P+R	Osiedle Piastów	60 mins	34	5 to 10	5:00 - 23:00

See also

• Trams in Kraków
• Dworzec Główny Tunel

References

1. "Kraków tram tunnel opened". Railway Gazette. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
2. Hamarnik, Piotr. "Fast Tram tunnel - the underground transportation system in Krakow (Poland)". Eltis. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
3. "Tram bridge across Krakow Plaszow station opened". Railway Gazette. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
4. "Rozkłady jazdy Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne S.A. w Krakowie" [Timetables of Municipal Transport Company S.A. in Krakow]. rozklady.mpk.krakow.pl (in Polish).

External links

• MPK Kraków, tram network operator website (in Polish)
• ZIKiT Kraków, the infrastructure owner website (in Polish)
• Brochure on public transport in Kraków Archived 2020-03-26 at the Wayback Machine
• Map and application tracking Kraków trams live