(source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
How far have the Bratislava tram projects progressed?
The reconstruction of the Vajnory tram line is approaching its final stage. The first rails of the Petržalka line have been set. The planned extension between Pribinova and Košická Streets in the centre is awaiting a decisive document.
According to the capital, every day 200,000 people use the trams. Line 3 connecting Rača, the city centre and Petržalka is the busiest, says Bratislava Transport Company (DPB) spokesperson Martin Chlebovec.
Line 4 is the most delayed; on average, trams in the city have approximately one minute delay.
However, bus lines are still the busiest in general. Therefore, DPB has purchased 30 new vehicles as part of making the transport greener, plus another 10 using the recovery plan. The city also plans to purchase large-capacity 50-metre trams.
Public transport is a priority in the new draft of the budget for next year. The draft still counts on the financing of the tram line in Petržalka, and the modernisation of the depots in the Krasňany and Jurajov Dvor localities. There will be no traffic restrictions when it comes to these projects.
A new tram line to Vrakuňa
The planned Pribinova - Košická extension in front of the new Slovak National Theatre (SND) is still hampered by the fear that the line would disrupt theatre performances, as confirmed by the vibro-acoustic analysis performed by the Culture Ministry.
Eventually, a completely new extension in the direction of the Slovnaft refinery, Vrakuňa and Podunajské Biskupice should be connected to the Pribinova - Košická one. The city is already working on a traffic and urban planning study.
