Does the history really have to repeat itself indefinitely? In fact, we could believe that it does, as we learn that the City Council of Gliwice, the city of almost 200,000 inhabitants, situated in the agglomeration of Katowice (Silesia, Poland) which has 2,7 inhabitants – and where you drive badly! – put an end to its tramway network on 1 September 2009. We can just recall that in the 50’s, a large number of Western European cities, in France, Switzerland and other countries, had simply removed tramways from their streets. Arguments put forward by municipal authorities were all similar: «tramways are an obstacle to the circulation of cars ». Today we can measure the stupidity of past decisions.
While Eastern European countries were far away from having what they desired, they certainly disposed of functioning public transportation system. This is the case with Prague and many other cities, including medium ones. Almost all of them have carried out modernisation works to upgrade existing lines, and now their tramways, like for example those in Budapest, are able to meet highest standards. In Cracow, which is not very far away from Gliwice, the network of tramways – and now also of bikes – is subject of a great attention, as impressive improvements have already been completed or are underway, in order to ensure a harmonious combination of different modes of travel.
Anyone who seriously looks at the reality is able to understand that EU’s new member states – thanks to their tramway network – have a comparative advantage over the large amount of Western European cities, which have never had such network or had destroyed it and now they are in the process of reintroducing what they had lost. Indeed, a great movement to rehabilitate the tram is underway in Europe, particularly in France, where three dozen cities have recreated a tramway network or are doing so. Who has visited Strasbourg before or after the tram reintroduction can see how - beyond being merely a mode of transport - the tram is an invaluable tool for reconstructing the city, the urban landscape, serving to improve the quality of life and pleasure of being in town!
Gliwice is located in a densely populated conurbation, historically marked by high-polluting industrial activities. But in the last 20 years the situation has changed and chimneys in the Katowice have ceased to release their multi-coloured smoke, that used to make cry visitors not accustomed to such high pollution and affect the health of inhabitants. The new image of Katowice agglomeration is already well visible. One of most important issues on the agenda would now be the necessity to interconnect local tramway networks in the region (also by implementing the concept of tram-train) to unify the system and provide the high quality of service to inhabitants.
The idea according to which cars – whose number explodes in Poland – and buses – even in large quantities – can solve the transport problems of dense urban areas is certainly an idea of the past. On 1 September, tramways in Gliwice were covered with black sheets as a sign of mourning. Those who challenged the municipal decision are not wrong. They have our support. As long as the infrastructure exists, we can always go back, right? What’s the opinion on this issue of Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, elected from the Silesian Voivodeship constituency?
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