The inhabitants of Warsaw, the most congested city in central Europe, will benefit from the expansion of its metro network – a project that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and ING are supporting by co-financing the acquisition of up to 45 new railcars. The loan of PLN 392.5 million, which is being split equally between the EBRD and ING, for metro’s new train fleet is part of a wider financing package from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Union (EU).
Up to 45 new metro trains will be put on the tracks of the extended Metro Line II, which is currently under construction, and will partially replace the old rolling stock operating on Line I. With daily traffic expected to reach 200,000 passengers, the new metro line will connect the city center with residential and commercial areas that host over 40 percent of Warsaw’s population. The new trains are expected to reduce commuting times while offering a comfortable and environmentally friendly mode of transport.
Warsaw, the largest city in Poland, is facing the challenge of providing transport services for a growing population while addressing its current poor air quality and high greenhouse gas emissions.
The capital is taking steps to tackle those challenges by participating in the environmental initiative EBRD Green Cities – and being the first city in Poland to do so – as well as taking part in the climate leadership group C40. The city’s Green City Action Plan, outlining the low-carbon and climate resilience development pathway for Warsaw, is supported with donor funds from Poland and the TaiwanBusiness – EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund.
“With this transaction, we welcome Warsaw’s commitment to investing in modern public transport infrastructure while developing a comprehensive plan to improve its overall urban environment. We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partner, the City of Warsaw, in its endeavor to build a greener future for its residents,” Grzegorz Zieliński, EBRD Regional Director, Head of Central Europe and the Baltic States, said.
“While investing in the quality of life and social policy, we do not neglect investments in the city’s infrastructure and environment,”  “The extension of the metro network is a key task for the City of Warsaw that will bring many benefits; citizens will gain a fast and comfortable means of transport, and it will have an enormous positive impact on the environment, which is a priority for us,” Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw, explained.
(WBJ)