Kraków Fast Tram

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

Kraków Fast Tram
Krakowski Szybki Tramwaj (KST)
Politechnika station
Operation
LocaleKraków, Poland
Open2008
Lines2
Operator(s)MPK Kraków
Infrastructure
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Propulsion system(s)Electricity

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
 Krowodrza Górka Kurdwanów
36 mins
23
5 to 10
5:00 - 23:30
 Czerwone Maki Osiedle Piastów
60 mins
34
5 to 10
5:00 - 23:00

See also

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. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  3. "Tram bridge across Krakow Plaszow station opened". Railway Gazette. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  4. http://rozklady.mpk.krakow.pl/
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