While in Poland, millions of euros are invested in the reconstruction of stations, the Slovak ones, according to the Polish reporter, often resemble a return to the past. He notices huge differences in the transport infrastructure not only at local stops, but paradoxically also at international ones, writes the Polish website.
Visiting railway and bus stations in Slovakia can be a shock for tourists. This is claimed by Polish journalist Tomasz Mateusiak, who did not hide his surprise during his recent trip to our country.
As an example, he cites the reconstructed station in the Polish village of Kowalew. Although this village has only 1500 inhabitantsa fully functional and heated building from the 19th century was opened there at the end of last year. The complete reconstruction cost almost one million euros and offers passengers decent conditions for waiting for local connections to Poznań or Krakow.
However, a completely different picture appeared to Mateusiak in Slovakia, specifically in the village of Veľká Lomnica. The railway station there dates back to the same historical period, but according to him, it is miles away from modernity and there is no indication that it is about to be renovated.
The Polish journalist draws attention to a fundamental paradox. While the Polish station serves only regional connections, the Veľká Lomnica – Studený potok station is an international hub located on the Poprad – Muszyna line. The famous Belian Express passes here regularly, which is used by a huge number of tourists heading to the High Tatras.
According to the reporter, the last reconstruction here probably took place during the time of Czechoslovakia. Platforms consist only of curved stone curbs filled with ordinary gravel. There are no interlocking pavements, benches or shelters where passengers could hide from rain and snow. In addition, the platforms are so narrow that one adult can barely fit on them. Avoiding here with a baby carriage or a wheelchair is almost impossible.
It is interesting that Mateusiak does not explicitly label Slovak stations as dirty. “It’s not that they’re neglected in the sense of a mess. Someone takes care of them. The paint doesn’t fall off, there’s no leakage on anyone’s head, there are waiting rooms,” he explains. However, the problem is their hopeless obsolescence.
“At the railway station in Stará Ľubovna, I felt like I was in the 1970s, and at the bus station there, I found the atmosphere of the 1990s,” adds the reporter in conclusion.
