Discover how the Szybka Kolej Miejska (SKM) has become the backbone of the Tricity's transport system, providing fast, efficient connections between Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia.
Although it does not travel underground, it has been called the "Tricity Metro" thanks to its key role in the daily movements of residents.
We invite you to read it, which presents both the rich history and dynamic development of SKM, shedding light on its irreplaceable role in the metropolitan landscape of Tricity.
The role of SKM in the urban transport system in Tricity
The Tricity Fast Urban Railway, most often called simply SKM, plays a key role in the Tricity's transport system, offering fast and efficient connections between Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. It is the primary means of transport for many residents and tourists who want to move efficiently around the metropolitan area.
SKM stands out from other forms of rail transport available in the region, such as Polregio, Intercity or PKP trains. The main difference is the frequency of service and the focus on servicing local routes within the Tricity agglomeration.
Unlike Polregio or Intercity, which operate longer intercity routes, SKM provides fast and regular connections between the main points of the Tricity.
Although it does not run underground like a typical metro, SKM is often called the "Tricity metro" due to its efficiency and key role in the daily movement of residents.
This metaphor highlights its importance as the backbone of local public transport that efficiently connects important metropolitan areas.
Although it must be admitted that due to the characteristic railway embankment in Wrzeszcz and the shopping center built over the tracks in the center, the Tri-City SKM may somewhat resemble the New York Metro.
From the beginnings of the railway in Gdańsk, to the modern Fast City Railway
The history of rail transport in Tricity dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. The railway reached Gdańsk on July 19, 1852, inaugurating the era of communication on iron rails. Although until World War I rail transport was limited mainly to four pairs of trains a day, including freight and passenger trains, there were exceptions.
The routes from Gdańsk to the resort of Sopot and Nowy Port, where many workers were employed, were served by up to a dozen pairs of trains a day.
The Main Railway Station in Gdańsk became an iconic place, significantly influencing the everyday lives of its inhabitants, as postcards from 1911 attest.
The railway not only facilitated transportation, but also introduced technological innovations such as electricity and the telegraph, enabling time synchronization between cities.
In 1912, before World War I, an ambitious project was started to build a separate pair of tracks for suburban traffic on the Gdańsk - Sopot section, which was to facilitate the daily transport of passengers. However, the outbreak of the war interrupted these works, and the following years brought only limited development of the railway infrastructure.
The interwar years brought border changes with the establishment of the Free City of Gdańsk and the development of Gdynia as an independent port and city, which limited the possibilities of transport integration.
However, during World War II, destruction and reconstruction needs ushered in a new era for rail transport.
After the war, as part of reparations, Poland received 189 wagons of the Berlin city railway (S-Bahn) , which, after partial renovation in ZNTK Lubań Śląski and Mińsk Mazowiecki, were sent to Gdańsk. They became the basis for the planned city railway.
Professor Roman Podoski developed the initial electrification project, and more advanced work was carried out by Eng. Zbigniew Modliński, future deputy minister of communications.
Infrastructure development continued, with makeshift solutions such as using electrical equipment from German U-boats to electrify the line to Nowy Port.
The first post-war work on the maintenance of the rolling stock took place in simple conditions, which changed with the construction of the Gdynia Chylonia Power Station in 1953.
Thanks to these activities, SKM has become a key element in the Tricity's transport structure, serving not only the daily needs of residents, but also being a symbol of the reconstruction and modernization of the region.
Construction of a line for suburban traffic in Tricity
The development of urban railways in Tricity is closely related to the decision of the Ministry of Communication in October 1950, which enabled the implementation of the project of a separate railway line intended for suburban transport.
Minister of Communication, Eng. J. Baranowski recognized the advisability of such an investment, which led to the establishment of the Warsaw field department of the Railway Electrification Office in Gdańsk.
This task attracted specialists from all over the country, and the work was also supervised by British engineering teams - representatives of the electrical equipment supplier. The work brigades of the Polish Service were involved in the implementation of the project and worked on the construction of embankments, tracks, overhead contact lines and 14 new platforms.
Short lead times were also a challenge, and even for experienced engineers from Great Britain, they seemed unrealistic.
Crisis situations, such as over-ground cables stretched too tightly causing damage to the foundations under the traction poles or unexpected power outages just before the launch of the section to Sopot, required immediate corrective actions.
Despite these difficulties, the first electric train set off from Gdańsk Główny to Sopot at 11:00 a.m. on January 2, 1952, which was a huge success, as reported by "Życie Warszawy" just two days later.
Work on the construction of the line continued, and in June 1952 a second track to Sopot was opened, which increased the frequency of train traffic.
The timeline of further construction of the line is equally impressive, with subsequent stages opening in the 1950s and 1960s, which allowed for the dynamic development of suburban transport in the region.
The newly constructed line was characterized by, among others, technical limitations such as minimum distances between tracks and special safety regulations, similar to those used in the metro.
Thanks to the determination of engineers and the work of many people, the Fast City Railway has become a key element of transport in Tricity, being an example of effective modernization and adaptation of urban infrastructure to the needs of a rapidly developing society.
Plans and their impact on the development of SKM in Tricity
In the history of the development of the Fast Urban Railway in Tricity, there are many ambitious projects that were never implemented, but had a significant impact on the formation of the region's transport system.
The first of such plans was the electrification of the existing tracks between Gdańsk and Pruszcz Gdański, planned simultaneously with the construction of the SKM line in the 1950s.
Unfortunately, these plans had to be abandoned, mainly due to the need to dismantle the overhead contact line poles, which were incorrectly placed too close to the tracks.
In the mid-1960s, there were plans to build a new pair of suburban tracks to Pruszcz Gdański. This plan assumed radical changes, including the demolition of part, or even all, of the Main Railway Station in Gdańsk and replacing it with a modern concrete structure.
Although these plans were bold, in the end it was decided to preserve the historic station, and the project was not implemented.
Further projects that never came to fruition included the electrification of the Gdańsk Główny - Gdańsk Nowy Port line with a voltage of 1,500 V in the 1950s, planned as an experimental project for new rolling stock.
This project collapsed with the first snow, which revealed problems with the insulation of the engines. This shows how technical challenges and infrastructure gaps often hampered development.
In the 1970s, hopes for the development of urban transport rose again with plans to build the so-called "Przymorska SKM", which was to start from the Gdańsk Zaspa Towarowa station and run through strategic points of the agglomeration.
The project was aimed at relieving the most congested section between Gdańsk and Sopot.
Despite significant potential for improving urban mobility, this project was also not implemented.
The last large housing estates and stops, such as Gdańsk Żabianka and stops in Gdynia, were built in the 1970s, and the annual SKM transport exceeded 100 million people, which proves the significant impact of the railway on the everyday life of residents.
However, despite these successes, SKM's share in overall agglomeration transport began to decline, mainly due to the development of areas away from the main railway lines and the development of alternative forms of transport.
These unrealized projects, although full of potential, demonstrate the difficulties and challenges in implementing large infrastructure projects in the changing political and economic context of the Polish People's Republic.
Each of them had a significant impact on the development of SKM and what the transport system in Tricity is like today.
Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway - implementation of old plans to expand the urban railway in the Tricity
The Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway (PKM), established by the Pomeranian Voivodeship Assembly on June 11, 2010, is a contemporary implementer of previously unrealized visions of expanding the urban railway infrastructure in the Tricity.
The company based in Gdańsk, from the beginning of its existence, has been associated with ambitious plans for the modernization and development of local public transport.
The history of PKM is closely related to the railway line number 248, which connects Gdańsk-Wrzeszcz with the airport. Lech Wałęsa, as well as the route to Kartuzy and Kościerzyna.
The length of the newly built line is 17 km, and the entire project was carried out on the basis of the traces of the former Gdańsk-Stara Piła railway line, operating from 1914 to 1945.
The PKM line is the first railway line in Poland built by the local government and was the largest investment financed by the local government of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
A feasibility study for the project was prepared in 2008–2009, and intensive preparatory work began in November 2010. The work included sappers, dendrological activities and tree felling.
The first preparatory work on the PKM line involved the removal of obstacles, such as unexploded ordnance from World War II or the exhumation of soldiers' remains.
In January 2011, it was decided to build an electrified double-track line, which resulted in the final determination of its route.
The construction of the PKM line was crucial for the integration of the Tricity transport system with the regional airport, which significantly facilitated travel logistics for both local residents and arriving tourists.
Moreover, the PKM infrastructure contributed to the development of new housing estates and better transport accessibility for previously less well-connected areas.
Today, the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway is a modern response to the old communication needs of the Tricity, being an example of the effective implementation of infrastructure projects that have significantly influenced the quality of life of residents and the efficiency of transport in the region.
Bajpas Kartuski – A New Chapter in the Regional History of the Tricity Railway
Bajpas Kartuski is a key project in the context of the development of regional railway infrastructure in the Tricity, the reconstruction and modernization of which cost nearly PLN 140 million.
Implemented by Pomorska Kolej Metropolitalna SA (PKM SA) in partnership with PKP PLK, this project significantly improves railway connections between Gdańsk and Kartuzy, opening new opportunities for residents and tourists of the region.
November 2024 - On the night of November 16-17, the first train entered the completed section of the Kartuzy bypass from Gdańsk Kiełpinek.
It was a test run to check the operation of the ETCS system after its update.
This meant the completion of electrification works on railway line No. 248 and the completion of the construction of the bypass, including the installation of new turnouts.
February 2024 - On February 3, the first train with passengers entered the Kartuzy bypass, organized by the Poznań company TurKol.
It was a historic moment as it was the first passenger train to run on the Gdańsk Główny - Kartuzy - Gdańsk Główny railway line through Kokoszki and Stara Piła since 1945.
On February 29, the SA133-026 diesel multiple unit, dedicated to servicing this newly opened line, appeared on the tracks of the Kartuzy bypass for the first time.
March 2024 - On March 11, passenger trains officially started running on the Kartuzy bypass, which was the formal opening of the line to regular traffic.
The importance of the Kartuzy bypass for the region
Bajpas Kartuski is not only the revival of a historic railway route, but also an important step towards increasing accessibility and mobility in the Tricity region. This project significantly reduces travel times, increases the frequency of connections and improves the overall quality of rail services.
For residents and tourists, this means easier access to key points in the region, which translates into improved quality of life and increased tourist and economic attractiveness of the Tricity.
In the long term, the Kartuzy bypass has the potential to become an important node in the Pomeranian transport system, integrating various means of transport and contributing to the development of the entire region.
The project is an example of the effective use of European funds and local government support to implement strategic investments that have a direct impact on improving public infrastructure.
PKM Południe: Ambitious Plans for the Development of Regional Railways in the Southern Part of the Tricity
The project "Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway Stage II - Development of transport infrastructure in the southern part of the Gdańsk Gdynia Sopot Metropolitan Area" (PKM Południe) is a continuation of the dynamic development of the railway network, initiated by the launch of the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway line in 2015.
The launch of this line significantly contributed to the increase in the number of passengers and also inspired numerous investments in the modernization and expansion of the railway infrastructure in the OMGGS area.
The PKM Południe project is a response to the growing communication needs of the southern districts of Gdańsk and neighboring communes, where a significant increase in the number of inhabitants is expected.
The planned railway lines are intended to provide effective and fast public transport, which will be crucial for the sustainable development of these dynamically developing areas.
Planned sections of PKM Południe
Episode 1: Construction of a new railway line with a length of approximately 4 km from the SKM Gdańsk Śródmieście stop to the Łostowice-Świętokrzyska loop, which will connect the center of Gdańsk with the southern districts, improving transport accessibility and supporting the development of local communities.
Section 2: Extension of the line by approximately 3.5 km from the Gdańsk Łostowice-Świętokrzyska integration junction to the Kowale integration junction, aimed at connecting with the western Tricity bypass, which will increase the mobility of residents and enable better connections with the main communication arteries of the region.
Section 3: Construction of a new line approximately 6-7 km long from the Kowale junction to be incorporated into the existing railway line No. 229, enabling better connection with Pruszcz Gdański and further parts of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Section 4: Modernization of the existing railway line No. 229 on the Stara Piła - Pruszcz Gdański section, which will significantly improve travel standards and transport efficiency on this route.
Section 5: Construction of a new line approximately 7 km long from the Kowale junction to be incorporated into the PKM line between the Gdańsk Jasień and Gdańsk Kiełpinek stops, thus closing the new communication ring and creating a coherent public transport system.
The implementation of PKM Południe is of key importance for the future of public transport in the Tricity region.
The project will not only significantly improve transport accessibility, but will also contribute to sustainable urban development, increasing the investment attractiveness of the southern districts of Gdańsk and adjacent communes.
Preparatory work in 2021-2023, including a Technical, Economic and Environmental Study, will be aimed at determining in detail the course and scope of each section, which is key to optimizing the costs and schedule of the project implementation.