Over 81.6 million PLN from the National Recovery Plan for new trams in Szczecin

The project titled “Purchase of 8 bidirectional, fully low-floor trams in Szczecin” was carried out as part of investment E1.1.2 Zero-Emission and Low-Emission Buses and Trams under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The contract was signed on June 29 of this year by Joanna Lech, director of CEUTP, and Krystian Wawrzyniak, representing the beneficiary. Arkadiusz Marchewka, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure, also took part in the ceremony, which was held at the Pogodno depot.

“The purchase of new trams for Szczecin is a very good example of how funds from the National Recovery Plan translate into concrete, tangible benefits for residents. We’re talking about eight modern, fully low-floor, bidirectional vehicles that will increase the comfort of daily travel, improve public transit accessibility, and support the further modernisation of Szczecin’s public transportation system. This is particularly important in a city where a significant portion of the tram fleet requires gradual replacement. Thanks to funding of over 81.6 mln PLN, it is possible not only to modernise the fleet but also to reduce the negative environmental impact of transportation—emissions, noise, and vibrations. At CEUTP, we consistently support projects that combine infrastructure and fleet development with tangible improvements in residents’ quality of life. “The Szczecin project fits perfectly into this direction,” said Joanna Lech, director of the Center for EU Transport Projects, who had the opportunity to view the new fleet on site.

The new trams will be used in Szczecin’s public transit system, improving the comfort of daily travel for residents of Szczecin and the surrounding area, as well as for tourists visiting the city. The purchased trams are fully low-floor and bidirectional, which is particularly important for public transportation accessibility and the efficient organisation of service, including during ongoing and planned track modernisation projects.

The purchase of new vehicles is part of efforts to develop modern, low-emission urban transportation. According to the data provided in the application, as of April 26, 2024, 58% of Szczecin’s tram fleet was over 34 years old, and low-floor and partially low-floor trams accounted for only 19% of the entire fleet. The investment supported by CUPT will therefore contribute to the further modernization of the city’s tram system.

The new fleet is equipped with devices that enable its integration into the ITS system and with the existing central public transportation management system implemented in Szczecin. This solution is important for both the transit authority and passengers—it allows for better traffic management, improves punctuality, and increases the efficiency of public transportation.

The investment will result in an improvement in Szczecin’s transportation standards, greater travel comfort, and increased accessibility of the tram system. The project will also help limit the negative impact of transportation on the environment, including by reducing exhaust emissions, traffic noise, and vibrations caused by trams. The benefits will be felt not only by passengers but also by people living in the immediate vicinity of the tram routes.

The total value of the project was 118,127,970 PLN, the eligible amount was 96,039,000 PLN, and the amount of EU funding was 81,633,150 PLN.