Kolín submitted a request for a subsidy for the reconstruction of the bus station

Visualization: Petr Brožek

Kolín - Kolín has submitted a grant application for the reconstruction of the bus station and is preparing a tender. It aims to obtain the maximum possible amount of 50 million crowns from the Integrated Regional Operational Program, with total costs expected to be 73 million crowns without VAT, according to the designers. The city administration believes, according to Deputy Mayor Michael Kašpar (Change for Kolín), that they will be able to reduce the cost of the contract through the competition.

“We have submitted the application, we are waiting for the evaluation of the procurement documentation, after which we will announce the tender,” said Kašpar to ČTK.

The project has an issued building permit and work has begun on the relocation of the high-voltage power line in front of the station building. The actual reconstruction is set to start no later than spring next year and should last about 1.5 years, with everything needing to be finalized by the end of 2018. According to the city hall, the city wants to proceed with the project even if it does not receive the grant.

The station is to take on the form of a modern terminal that will provide greater comfort for passengers using both public transport and transferring to trains. “The fundamental idea is to transition from the train station to the bus station without getting your feet wet,” stated Kašpar.

There will also be electronic boards showing passengers how long until each bus arrives. “It should be connected to train departures and integrated with our warning system,” added Kašpar. The area in front of the station will also be completely new.

The current bus station is used by both long-distance and regional buses. According to the city hall, its design is architecturally fragmented and does not form a functional whole.