The background
Petržalka is Bratislava’s largest district and home to more than 100 000 people. This is huge by Slovakian standards, which is why it is sometimes described as a city within the city.
One of the largest concentrations of paneláks is in Petržalka. Paneláks are high-rise prefab concrete apartment blocks. They are usually poorly regarded because of their uniform grey utilitarian design and modest materials. But the residents of Petržalka have transformed them into well-maintained, colourful canvases iconic of a city that resolutely adapts to whatever comes its way.
The challenge
For many years, the transport system in Bratislava and the surrounding region has suffered from a lack of strategic planning, with the sole focus on road development.
Investments in the public transport sector only covered the upgrade of the bus fleet. As a result, trolley buses and trams became obsolete and offered a limited number of low-floor vehicles. In addition, the related infrastructure required extensive work.
The only way to get from Petržalka to the northern side of the city and the city centre by public transport was by crossing one of the four bridges by bus.
The action
The project consisted of the construction of 2.4 kilometres of new tramline connecting the city centre of Bratislava, located on the north bank of the Danube River, with Petržalka, situated on the south bank of the Danube. One tram stop was reconstructed and three new ones were built along the tram route.
The new tramline now connects the two sides of the river by crossing the Starý Most bridge, which was reconstructed as part of the project and now connects the two sides of the river. Vehicle access to the bridge is restricted to trams and emergency vehicles.
The project is the first operational phase of a new tramway line connecting the city centre further across the Petržalka district in the north-south direction to Janíkov dvor – as outlined in the current city transport plan (SUMP). This project is currently under development.
JASPERS greatly assisted the city in defining the project and the structure of mobility in the area. It helped prepare a new feasibility study that included the key new tram route to Petržalka, and implement other infrastructure and soft measures. These are complemented by the new city transport plan that JASPERS also supported.
JASPERS also cooperated closely with the City of Bratislava to discuss the technical specifications as well as the organisational, institutional and operational aspects of the project. Finally, we assisted in drafting the major project application, focusing particularly on clarifying the key project issues.
The results
Bratislava has once again resolutely adapted to new transport challenges.
The new tram extension provides a fast and environmentally friendly high-capacity public transport connection to Petržalka, linking it directly to the existing tram network on the north bank of the Danube.
The operation of the first new section has proved to be a success in terms of passenger numbers, which are bound to increase again considerably when the second phase is completed.
The project is also contributing to:
- Increased accessibility
- Improved modal share
- Reduced travel times for a significant number of passengers
- Increased travel comfort
- Reduced noise
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Reduced number of accidents
- Increased quality of living in Petržalka
- Spin-off effects (economic development and employment)