Brussels, 10/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 10 April, the European Investment Bank (EIB) agreed to a PLN 1 billion (some €238 million) loan for the construction of the central section of Warsaw's new metro new line, providing additional EIB support for the development of sustainable public transport in one of the most congested cities in Europe. Last year, the EIB granted a loan for the purchase of modern and energy-efficient rolling stock for the Warsaw metro.
The loan announced on Wednesday will contribute to the contruction of the central section located in the city centre, which is 6.7 kilometres long. It includes seven stations plus a 400-metre long connecting tunnel between the new and the old metro lines. As part of this loan agreement, the EIB is also supporting the expansion of the existing Kabaty metro depot to cater for the additional rolling stock that will be necessary to operate the new line. The installation of a train traffic control system, telecommunication and fare collection systems are also included in the project, whose implementation has already begun and is expected to be completed by 2014/2015. (OL/transl.fl)