Development of a public transport system using innovative information and communication technology for Rzeszów, Poland and the surrounding area aimed at making transport attractive and accessible for all, and ensuring that it meets relevant safety standards. It should also ease traffic congestion.
Public transport upgraded in Rzeszów, Poland and the surrounding area
- 25 January 2017
Thanks to the project, Rzeszów has undergone a real metamorphosis. Every day more than 150 buses (80 of which are monitored, modern and environmentally friendly) serve inhabitants and migrants. Travellers can use ticket machines and the Rzeszów City Card. New, high-quality public transport allows faster travel, safety and more comfort. It is an attractive alternative to travelling by car. These essential improvements to public transport have a positive impact on the attractiveness and potential for development of the Rzeszów metropolitan area and the mobility of its inhabitants.
The project has increased the comfort, frequency and punctuality of buses, and improved safety on-board and at bus stops. There is now more access to passenger information at stops, on buses and via a dedicated website.Upgrades have been made to road infrastructure, including installation of bus lanes and traffic light sequencing that gives priority to public transport. The design of the new installations takes account of all user groups.
Quicker, quieter journeys
Around 9 km of road was adapted so as to cut traffic on bus routes and shorten bus journey times. Improvements to road surfaces, construction of noise barriers and introduction of quieter buses have reduced noise and vibrations.Eighty new buses running on diesel or natural gas and meeting the highest emission standards were purchased. They are accessible for people with movement, hearing or sight impairments, those with baby strollers or luggage and the elderly, thanks to low floors and doors, and wheelchair space. The buses are fitted with passenger information systems, including monitors and voice prompts, ticket machines and a video monitoring system for safety.Bus stops in 73 locations have been adapted for people with reduced mobility and equipped with ticket machines and electronic passenger information systems. The blind and visually impaired can get voice prompts via buttons with Braille or remote controls.The Rzeszów Intelligent Transportation System set up by the project operates via a communication platform, with radio transmitters throughout the city. It includes the Area Traffic Control System, the Public Transport Management System, the Passenger Information System and the Electronic Fare Collection System.
Priority for public transport
The Area Traffic Control System supports traffic management through more than 50 sets of traffic lights that ensure priority for public transport and 17 message boards informing drivers of the traffic situation. The Public Transport Management System facilitates fleet management through automatic vehicle location and identification, quality control of services, recording of passenger statistics, and route and timetable optimisation.The Dynamic Passenger Information System displays information allowing passengers to plan journeys on bus departure boards, while screens on more than 150 buses give details of routes and stops. Ticket machines also give route and schedule information.The Electronic Ticket System allows payment of fares using the Rzeszów City Card. Passengers can manage their City Cards using 29 fixed and 80 mobile ticket machines, and the website (rtm.erzeszow.pl).As a result of the project, Rzeszów is more accessible for people from the surrounding area. Also, thanks to municipal agreements, the residents of Tyczyn, Świlcza, Krasne and Lubenia can use the modernised services in their own towns.Rzeszów now has a punctual, safe and cost-effective transport system that has increased the city’s potential to attract business investment. Passenger numbers on public transport have risen, while traffic on the road and accidents have fallen.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Construction of system integrating public transport of the City of Rzeszów and the surrounding area” is EUR 79 241 144, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 59 891 372 through the “Development of Eastern Poland” Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 programming period.