The Brno councilors recommended the city council to relocate the train station to the river

Brno - The Brno city council recommends the city assembly approve the construction of the main train station in a relocated position by the river. Brno Mayor Petr Vokřál (ANO) said this to reporters today. The second option is to build the station under Petrov near the current station, which is insufficient in capacity. The assembly will decide on February 27. Its decision, as well as previous support from the region for the relocation, will only be recommendations for the government, which will ultimately choose one of the locations. The council was not unanimous in its decision; the Greens and Žít Brno opposed it.

This could lead to the collapse of the coalition of ANO, Žít Brno, KDU-ČSL, SZ, and TOP 09.

The council recommends the assembly approve the station by the river on the condition that negotiations begin regarding the north-south rail diameter, which is similar to a subway. The diameter should significantly speed up transportation from north to south. It would relieve the overloaded tram lines in this direction. Brno also wants to prepare a memorandum for the city, the region, and the Ministry of Transport regarding the connection of the diameter solution to the redevelopment of the station. Additionally, the council noted in its resolution that it considers the option of building the station under Petrov acceptable as well.

In favor of the resolution concerning the station by the river with the condition of negotiations regarding the diameter were ANO, KDU-ČSL, TOP 09, and also Tomáš Koláčný for the Pirates (Žít Brno and the Pirates). Opposed were deputies Matěj Hollan (Žít Brno) and Martin Ander (Greens). Koláčný stated that the Pirates lean more towards the station under Petrov, but ultimately supported the relocation option with the condition of negotiations regarding the diameter.

Ander and Hollan stated that moving the station to the river is against the wishes of the public, which wants it to remain in the center. This is based on a public opinion survey. Therefore, the Greens and Žít Brno will discuss whether the decision constitutes a breach of the coalition agreement, which states that the city will choose the option that has public support. On Monday, there will be a negotiating meeting about the coalition, and on Tuesday, the assembly will decide on the location of the station. Mayor Vokřál stated that it would be a shame to break the coalition and will want to resolve the disputes.

The construction of the station is expected to take about six years. The estimated cost by the river is between 42 and 45 billion crowns, while under Petrov it ranges from 42 to 56 billion crowns. According to a feasibility study commissioned by the Railway Infrastructure Administration, construction could begin by the river in 2020, while under Petrov it would start at the earliest in 2026. The river option was previously supported by the Office of the Architect of the City of Brno and the Brno-Centrum district.

Proponents of the relocated option point out that building by the river can start sooner, which would still allow some funding from the European Union. This is not expected for the under Petrov option. They also highlight the project's greater preparedness, lower costs, and easier integration of high-speed lines. Advocates of the station under Petrov argue that the relocated position will prolong travel times for people and that public transportation will have worse access there, while the option under Petrov is more developed.