The project for the construction of the terminal in Liberec will probably be taken over by the region

photo: ŠJů, Wikimedia Commons

Liberec - The project for the construction of a new bus terminal with a parking garage in Liberec will likely be taken over by the Liberec Region from the city of Liberec. So far, both parties have agreed to sign a memorandum on a joint procedure. The regional governor Martin Půta (SLK) told reporters today that the region is prepared to pay for co-financing as well.

"I start from the logical assumption that when we pay two million crowns annually for access to this area (to the bus station), those are funds that we can invest in co-financing this project from a development perspective," the governor stated. The estimated costs for the construction of the terminal are between 100 and 200 million crowns, with the majority expected to be covered by a European subsidy. Co-financing thus amounts to between 15 and 30 million crowns.

The new terminal with a parking garage for 400 cars is expected to be built in the parking lot adjacent to the current bus station. The project was prepared by the previous city administration. They wanted to implement it themselves, but the current administration has a different opinion. "The service is primarily for suburban connections, for intercity routes. We see the role of the Liberec Region as more significant than that of the city of Liberec," noted Liberec Mayor Jaroslav Zámečník (SLK).

The project is in the process of revising the version of the terminal approved last year by architect Petr Stolín. The city hall cites the main reason for the alteration as the changed conditions. Last year, the city became the owner of most of the land on which the current bus station is located. According to Zámečník, the original project was not even in compliance with the zoning plan. A new study is expected to be completed by the end of April. It should clarify exactly where the new terminal will be located. If the project were to be realized by the region, Liberec would sell this portion of the land to them.

The modernization of the transportation terminal in the regional capital is one of the transportation priorities for drawing funds from the Integrated Development Plan of the Liberec - Jablonec nad Nisou area. However, either the city or the region must apply for the subsidy by the end of this year, and the new terminal must be completed no later than 2023. The bus station is located above the Liberec tunnel, in the area between 1st May, Žitavská, and Vaňurova streets. Its facilities have long been a disgrace to the city, as they do not provide adequate services to travelers or transporters. Although the platforms were modernized in the mid-1990s, a decent facility has never been built despite several plans. Travelers and drivers still have to rely on a temporary structure made of construction containers.