Warsaw Metro – The major project investor in Warsaw

A number of large, exciting transport development projects are currently taking place in Warsaw at the moment and passengers will soon benefit from new metro lines, new stations and additional capacity on trains.

In 2006 Warsaw Metro Limited completed the preparation work and started the implementation of the largest construction investment project in Warsaw in the last few years. Our responsibility, as Deputy Investor, on behalf of the Capital City of Warsaw, was to prepare the investment project for the construction of the 4 kilometres of Warsaw Metro Line I. This section is located in the North Western part of the city and consists of four stations, four railway tunnels and the multifunctional communication junction with the tram loop, bus terminal and parking areas in ‘park and ride’ system.

According to the expectations of financial support from the European Union funds, the construction of this section is being carried out as one large investment project.

The total cost of the investment project is estimated at 200 million Euros, whereas the financial support from EU is expected to be in the region of 88 million Euros. The project is divided into three construction contracts. Each of the contracts is being performed by three separate contractors who are responsible for the building projects. The contractors were selected by means of an open bid process.

The contract agreements were signed during the second quarter of 2006. A few weeks after signing, the construction work began. The works are supervised on a daily basis by the Warsaw community. The completion of the investment project is planned for the second quarter of 2008.

During 2006 there was a considerable increase in the number of passengers to 105.8 million. Research studies have shown that in terms of the punctuality of trains, cleanliness and safety the Warsaw Metro is now considered the best means of transport in Warsaw.

“Marymont” is the new station of Line I of the Warsaw Metro, which was opened at the end of December 2006. As a result of the opening of the new station as well as the forthcoming Line I extension an increase in the number of passengers is expected.

Therefore, in 2006 the company signed contracts for the purchase of 30 cars. By 2008 all the trains owned by the company will be extended from 4 to 6 cars.

Last year we started the construction of the new Central Dispatch Office, which will be of use to the first and future underground lines. It should be completed and opened in the second half of this year.

In order to meet the requirements of the company, it was my initiative as Chairman of the Board to implement a training programme for the employees. Various professional courses were funded by the company to 270 workers. In addition, we have also financed Universities courses for 20 employees. A structural EU Grant was partly used to finance these courses. This grant was also used to provide foreign language courses for approximately 12% of our workforce.

The next important project for the Warsaw Metro during 2007 is the start of the tender procedure for the construction of the central section of Metro Line II, which is another major investment project in Warsaw. We estimate its cost at 600 million Euros. The central section is a part of the Metro Line II project consisting of 26 stations located along the 26km railway track and whose total cost is valued at approximately 2 billion Euros.