In Strakonice, they plan to build a transport terminal

Strakonice - In Strakonice, there are plans to construct a new transport terminal for 60 million crowns. It should be located next to the current train station building and the Billa supermarket. The investor of the proposed transport terminal is the Railway and Transport Administration (SŽDC) and the company ČSAD STTRANS. The current overly large bus station with its inadequate building is expected to make way for a shopping center, as reported by ČTK.

"A valid zoning decision has been issued for the terminal's construction, we have applied for a building permit and for a grant. If everything goes according to plan, we could start building in the middle of next year. We have been preparing the specific project for over a year; we have been trying for eight years," said the director of ČSAD STTRANS, Vladimír Warisch.

Strakonice has an important transport position primarily on the railway line from Plzeň to České Budějovice. Trains also run from here in the direction of Volary and Březnice. The bus line to Prague is also heavily used.

"The newly established terminal will have information desks, waiting rooms, and restrooms. Those who arrive by bus and depart by train will cross dry-footed," Warisch said.

SŽDC is continuing a project from 2014 to 2015, during which the Strakonice railway station was renovated for 456 million crowns. "By agreement, we proceed with STTRANS and the city of Strakonice in mutual synergy regarding preparations, project documentation, and funding for the construction," stated Pavel Paidar from SŽDC.

A underpass with barrier-free access has been created at the railway station, leading to two covered island platforms, a new information system, and security cameras. The railway infrastructure has been renovated in the main lines, including switches and bridges.

ČSAD STTRANS intends to build a bus terminal with ten bus stops, two replacement stops, and parking areas next to the station. All carriers with the appropriate license, just like now, are expected to serve it.

"The bus station area is too large, sprawling. It requires maintenance, and is not comfortable for passengers. We have already reduced the area for bus stops once," Warisch explained. He added that the station was created in the 1980s as part of a self-help project Z and has not met current needs after so many years.

The city of Strakonice has also commissioned an architectural-urban study for a seven-hectare area next to the new terminal building. "This is an area that starts at the existing train station building, the Auto Ševčík store, and the Verold company," said the author of the study, Vladimír Krajíc.

The study for the bus station area includes the construction of a shopping center with an area of 6,000 square meters, which is intended to be connected via a pedestrian route to the new transport terminal. The construction of a completely new bridge that would connect the road to the terminal building and the shopping center is also possible.

"The road that leads around the station is one of the busiest in the city; this would improve pedestrian movement," Krajíc added.