Kraków 2021-10-25
Skawina Jagielnia Passenger Railway Stop.
Geographic coordinates: 49.981N 19.841E. Elevation 228 m.
Skawina Jagielnia is a new passenger stop (PO) on the Kraków Płaszów – Skawina route. The stop is located on route No. 94 Kraków Płaszów – Oświęcim. When the route renovation began in 2017, the construction of this stop was not planned. However, at the initiative of residents and local government officials, a new stop was built between the Skawina train station and the Kraków Sidzina passenger stop. The distance to the Skawina train station is 2.09 km westward. The distance to the Kraków Sidzina passenger stop is 3.71 km eastward. The stop’s name comes from the nearby residential estate with the main street, Jagielnia. Developers have built many new apartment blocks and single-family homes in the area, which is why the district is already home to several thousand residents, mostly young people. Currently (2021), developers are offering numerous apartments in three-story buildings, starting at PLN 5,400 per square meter. Perhaps the Skawina Jagielnia passenger stop is the perfect solution.
The Skawina Jagielnia passenger stop opened on June 14, 2021. On the same day (June 14, 2021), the Kraków Opatkowice passenger stop was also opened, located between the Kraków Sidzina and Kraków Swoszowice stops. The Skawina Jagielnia passenger stop is part of the agglomeration transport system. Małopolskie Railways and PolRegio trains stop here. Skawina Jagielnia has increased access for local residents to the railway, and from there to the center of Kraków. The journey takes just 25 minutes. The distance to Kraków Główny station is 21 km. The train passes the following stations: Kraków Sidzina, Kraków Opatkowice, Kraków Swoszowice, Borek Fałęcki Wschód, Łagiewniki Borek Fałęcki, Kraków Bonarka, Kraków Podgórze, Kraków Zabłocie, and Kraków Grzegórzki. The latter stop is scheduled to open in 2022.
The stop was built as part of the modernization program for railway route No. 94 on the Kraków Płaszów – Podbory Skawińskie section. The investment cost PLN 250 million. The Skawina Jagielnia passenger stop cost PLN 11.125 million. The investment was co-financed by the Government Fund for Local Investments (PLN 3.055 million). This support from the Polish Government is worth noting.
The stop consists of two single-edged platforms, known as high platforms. The platform height from the railhead is 0.60 m. Platform 1 is on the north side, and Platform 2 is on the south side. Each platform is 300 m long and 4.50 m wide. Each platform is equipped with two shelters, additional benches, rest areas, display boards, waste bins, lighting, and a sound system for providing railway information. Information is provided not only about passenger trains but also about through trains, which pass the stop at speeds of up to 160 km/h. The platform surfaces near the edges are made of anti-slip technology. The platform surfaces are equipped with white traffic paths and yellow safety lines, including for the visually impaired. On the outside, the platforms have a permanent 1.20-meter-high fence made of wire panels.
The platforms are connected by a footbridge over the tracks. Elevators are available for disabled passengers, those with bicycles, or those carrying heavy luggage. The footbridge is made of reinforced concrete. The steps and remaining sidewalk are covered with modern anti-slip flooring. The railings are made of steel, with increased corrosion resistance.
At present (2021), it is difficult to clearly assess the benefits of this stop. There are several reasons. Firstly, renovations are still underway on route no. 94. Among other things, the Kraków Swoszowice railway station is being renovated, which means the full range of Koleje Małopolskie and PolRegio connections is not available. As a result, the timetable changes every 2-3 months. Secondly, residents need to acclimate to this new way of traveling to the center of Kraków. Thirdly, it is currently difficult for potential passengers to estimate the monthly cost of a ticket.
Let’s remember that back in the 1980s, the Skawina-Kraków Płaszów railway line was heavily congested with passengers traveling to and from work and school, and the sight of a “yellow” EN57 running every 20 minutes was commonplace. A word of caution here for young rail enthusiasts: Until 1990, EN57 EMUs were painted only yellow and blue, as they all belonged to PKP (Polish State Railways). There were no other carriers. EN71 EMUs were painted the same.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman