Aleksandra Merchel-Koter grew up hearing stories about the work her father and grandfather did on the railway. "Trains have been in my blood since I was a kid," she says. So she chose to follow in their footsteps, earning a degree in railway track engineering from the Gdańsk University of Technology. Today, as a project director at PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe, she wants to make Poland’s railway network better and more connected.
For over a decade, Merchel-Koter has been working on a project close to her heart and home — the modernisation of the 70-kilometre Line 201, connecting the towns of Koscierzyna and Gdynia in northern Poland. This project aims to add a second track and electrify the line, improving freight transport to Gdynia’s busy port. These changes will also help reduce congestion on parallel routes and improve transport for local residents.
"The line was initially planned as a double-track," explains Merchel-Koter. "What we are doing today is restoring its original purpose."
The European Investment Bank is supporting the project with a €480 million loan, signed in July 2024. The project is a key phase in a multi-stage railway upgrade, linking Bydgoszcz with the Tri-city region, which includes Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia.
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A vital line for northern Poland
Built in 1930 to support the newly established port of Gdynia, Line 201 originally helped transport coal to nearby countries. Even after a century, it continues to move freight to the port, but not as effectively as it once did. This is because the line hasn’t changed much since it was first constructed. “There are parts of the line that are unused, or they are not electrified,” says Merchel-Koter.
Dawid Fusiek
Modernising Line 201 will change that, allowing more trains to travel, and at higher speeds. This is possible due to double tracking, which involves adding a second set of tracks parallel to the existing ones, allowing trains to travel in both directions simultaneously. Unlike a single track, which forces trains to wait for clear sections and can cause delays, double-tracking removes these obstacles, improving overall rail network performance.
The project will also add a third track between the station of Gdańsk Osowa and Gdynia Główna, which will further boost the flow of goods to and from the port. "A strong link to the port of Gdynia is crucial, not just for the region but for the entire nation," says Merchel-Koter.
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Supporting mobility in Poland
Modernising a railway line is a difficult challenge that requires planning and a constant flow of funds. At the same time, the railway operator has to keep trains running smoothly, ensuring passengers and freight continue to move uninterrupted during the works.
The European Investment Bank’s loan will allow PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe to carry on with its ambitious project. This investment will help the company build new stations, upgrade existing ones, and facilitates the future installation of the European Train Control System — a standardised railway signalling system designed to enhance safety, interoperability, and efficiency across European railways
“The project encourages more people to travel by train and shift freight traffic from roads to rail,” says Adam Gephard, a loan officer at the European Investment Bank who worked on the deal. “Since it’s located in less-developed areas, it will help boost regional development and provide better access to sustainable transport.
“It’s all about making travel greener, faster, and more efficient while supporting local growth,” he says.
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Better and greener railway
Upgrading the line from Koscierzyna to Gdynia means more trains and fewer overcrowded carriages. This is great news for tourism and regional travel.
"The line goes through touristy places like Kaszuby, so trains are often packed on weekends," says Merchel-Koter. "And during the school year, lots of students use the trains to get to big city schools."
The project has a green dimension, too.
PKP
“By improving the train service, we'll encourage more people to choose trains, which are a more sustainable mode of transport than planes or cars,” says William Sugrue, a rail sector specialist at the European Investment Bank. “The electrification of the line allows the use of electric trains which are less costly to maintain and are less polluting than the existing diesel trains.”
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PLK KOSCIERZYNA - GDYNIA
Track duplication, electrification and modernisation of single track lines between Koscierzyna and Gdynia.
