When you need to change train for bus

Cieszyn is one of the oldest cities in Silesia region, eagerly visited by tourists. It is an important communication junction with the Czech Republic. It is therefore important to ensure that it has an adequate transport network which can be used not only by visitors but also by residents. Unfortunately, after the sale of the land of the former bus station to a private investor, our city was left without a functioning bus station. Only temporary stops were built nearby. It was an emergency and a temporary option. The city needed a place that would serve the travelers using public transport and rail transport. That's how the idea of building an interchange was born. We took over the railway station building and the adjacent square from PKP, and then developed a concept for the development of the entire area.

The investment involved not only the reconstruction and renovation of the historic building of the former railway station, but also the construction of a new building, which now houses waiting rooms and cash registers. To improve the quality of travel, the platforms have been roofed. A modern information system helps to organize travel. Interactive boards inform passengers about bus and train departures.

The neglected railway station has not only regained its former glory, but above all, it has again become a place that travelers enjoy. The adjacent streets were also rebuilt, which improved the traffic, also in the direction of Bielsko-Biała and Wisła. Pavements and additional park& ride spaces were created. Residents and travelers can also use the new bicycle route, which, when the weather is good, makes it much easier to move around the city and is an interesting option for sightseeing Cieszyn.

This interchange is the only one of its kind in the county. Both city buses and a fleet of long-distance carriers stop here. Those coming to Cieszyn by public transport can continue their journey by rail to Český Těšín and Frýdek Místek in the Czech Republic. The interchange is located in the very center of the city, from where you can reach the market square and the historic part of the city in a few minutes, on foot.

I live in Skoczów, I work in Cieszyn. I work with NGOs, seniors and people with disabilities. I also spend my free time in Cieszyn. That’s where I meet with my friends, do my shopping, and take advantage of a wide range of cultural institutions. Since both towns are less than twenty kilometers away, I often travel by public transport, which for many years has been unreliable. The railway station scared the travelers away. The bus station also left a lot to be desired, and after it had been sold, we were left with only makeshift stops at our disposal. Waiting for the bus in winter was very tedious. There was not even a shelter where you could hide from rain or snow.

The construction of the interchange was a very much awaited investment. And I guess we are all enthusiastic about it. It should be remembered that Cieszyn is located on the Polish-Czech border and a great number of citizens from nearby towns commute to work here. There are also crowds of tourists. And the station is usually the first place they see when they leave the train or a bus. That's why I'm glad to see that finally a genuine interchange has been built. It is a modern object, but refers to history with its architecture and style. Today we have a railway station and a bus station at one place plus a waiting room, luggage storage and ticket offices where you can buy tickets for both train and bus. Everything is close to the center. There is a shopping mall and a taxi stand nearby as well.

I am happy to use the new interchange center when I go to work or when I travel towards Kraków. It really makes things easier, when you can easily take a city bus right away and you don't have to walk with your luggage a few hundred meters to the nearest stop. I hope that more and more people, instead of spending time in traffic jams, will choose urban transport, not only because it’s convenient but also with the environment in mind.