A new test solution of 2 bus and tram stops has been implemented in Krakow. The main objectives of the measure were the improvement of PT security and safety, the improvement of PT infrastructure in the city centre especially for older and disabled people as well as the reduction of  boarding and alighting time.

Even if this activity is directed at all PT passengers, it mainly helps older and disabled people in terms of problems of entering or exiting PT vehicles, e.g. low floor trams. On the other hand it also helps parents to enter PT vehicles with small kids in baby carriages.

The main activity concernig this measure was related to the development of reconstructing the Lubicz - Pawia Streets intersection with the implementation of a secure bus and tram stop, serving as a model.

The main issue were funds needed for the reconstruction of the infrastructure. In this case trams were reconstructed together with the reconstruction of Lubicz and Rakowicka roads.

The project “Integrated public transport in the Krakow agglomeration” has been co-financed by the EU Integrated Operational Program for Regional Development 2004–2006 at the level of 50%. The rest was covered by the municipal budget.

The project was linked with measures implemented in Caravel / Civitas II Project - Security action plan for public transport in Krakow.

There has been a survey about the first ring road of Krakow (measure 8.11, Project Caravel Civitas II). During the survey, respondents indicated factors which reduce journey comfort and sense of security in Krakow's PT.
They were mainly:

1. Difference of levels - too high platforms in vehicles. This is a problem especially for older and disabled people.
2. The speed of cars passing by at bus stops is too fast.
3. Too many cars are passing by at bus and tram stops – there is a problem of getting on and off. It is too crowded.
4. Bad visibility at bus and tram stops.

The main objective was to compare feelings of passengers about safe bus and tram stops as compared to regular ones . After the survey, a document called Security Action Plan was developed. The idea for the  future is that before a reconstruction of any bus or tram stop is carried out, the ideas and rules described in the Security Action Plan should be taken into consideration.

Reconstructed bus and tram stops were promoted by the Municipality of Krakow and the Public Transport Operator in Krakow (MPK) as one of the outcomes of the “Integrated public transport in the Krakow  agglomeration” Project. They were also disseminated in the Caravel Project that promoted sustainable transport.

The most important stakeholders were the public transport company (organization of a public tender for infrastructural works), the Road and Transport Management Board in Krakow as part of the  Municipality of Krakow (cooperation in the process of implementation of the measure, preparation of the technical design for the bus and tram stop reconstruction) and the citizens of Krakow (passengers of PT).

The key benefits are:

1. Reduced number of accidents with pedestrians and PT passengers, mainly related to entering / exiting PT vehicles.
2. Reduced speed of private cars in the area of bus / tram stops.
3. More convenient and safe bus and tram stops.

The activity is easily transferable to other European countries and has already been implemented in several cities like Vienna. There are no high costs, especially if connected to reconstruction of the whole bus or tram corridors in the city. There is a good factor of foreseen results in comparison to costs.

http://projektyue.mpk.krakow.pl