The bus station in Liberec is preparing to build a new check-in hall

Liberec - The construction of a new passenger terminal is being prepared by the Liberec Bus Station (ANL). The project, costing nearly 84 million crowns, is applying for a grant from the Regional Operational Program. It could receive about half, with the rest covered by a loan. The company has already received confirmation that all conditions have been met; if the grant is awarded, it aims to start construction before the end of this year. The new building could then be completed by the end of next year, said company director Jan Konopásek today to ČTK.
    The bus station in the city of 100,000 has been waiting for a dignified passenger terminal for over 20 years. The platform area was modernized in the mid-1990s, but there was no money left at that time to build adequate facilities. Since then, passengers have been using a temporary structure made of construction modules. Two years ago, the company presented the design of the new building by architect Ivan Lejčar online. "Currently, we are preparing all the documentation for the building permit so that the work can start before winter," noted Konopásek.
    Lejčar's design for the four-story terminal somewhat deviates from what has been built in Liberec in recent years; however, in an online vote, 63 percent of participants rated it positively, and only 18 percent outright rejected it. "We were surprised by this favorable assessment too," admitted Konopásek. The glass and concrete building resembles an arena slightly squashed to one side. Inside, there is an oval gallery with a glass roof. "We had to adapt to the limited space it will occupy; however, we did not want to build an ordinary box," said the architect, who has designed other projects in Liberec, such as the information center for Czech Railways.
    Around 150 bus connections leave or arrive at the Liberec bus station daily, with up to 190 on Fridays. According to estimates, around 4,000 passengers use the facilities each day. The services provided are definitely not at the level that a city of 100,000 deserves, agree representatives of both the city and the region. Passengers also criticize it, especially those who are surprised when arriving in the regional capital for the first time. The ANL company, which has managed the station for about four years, is aware of the shortcomings and is trying to improve the situation. However, according to Konopásek, the possibilities are limited under current conditions.
    Unlike other places in the Czech Republic, where similar projects are organized by the city, this in Liberec is a private project. ANL seeks to obtain funds from the NUTS II Northeast Regional Operational Program, which has nearly 656.5 million euros (16.74 billion crowns) available from 2007 to 2013. About 34 percent of the funds, which is roughly 5.7 billion crowns, are designated for the development of urban and rural areas aimed at regenerating and revitalizing brownfields, restoring parts of cities, and infrastructure. Towns like Semily, Turnov, Železný Brod, and Mimoň are also applying for grants for transportation terminals.