The Fahrenheit Universities in Gdańsk, established by the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and the University of Gdańsk, starts cooperation with the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway (PKM SA – Pomorska Kolej Metropolitalna SA) on a new project, PKM South. The agreement was signed on 5 October this year by the representatives of the parties: Chairman of the FarU Assembly and Rector of the Gdańsk Tech, Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, and the President of PKM SA, Grzegorz Mocarski. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Governor of the Pomerania Region, Leszek Bonna.

The agreement concerns the cooperation of the Fahrenheit Universities (FarU) with PKM SA in the development of analyses, expert opinions and reports for the implementation of the project titled "The Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway Stage II: The development of transport infrastructure in the southern part of the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area, in connection with the regional railway network of the Pomerania Region" (in short: PKM South) and projects constituting a continuation of this undertaking.

The cooperation agreement covers four main areas:

1. Technical – review and acceptance of proposed solutions in the field of the development of public space, suggesting modern, innovative engineering solutions, carrying out scientific research and development works in relation to the project.
2. Social – supporting the project preparation process in terms of sustainable development and cooperation in creating a positive image of urban mobility in the field of public transport.
3. Pro-environmental – promoting the use of public transport as part of the implementation of the strategy for sustainable development of urban transport and the European Green Deal and support in the implementation of the EU policy in this area.
4. Other activities in which knowledge transfer takes place – expert cooperation in the development and publication of opinions of the representatives of scientific circles on specific topics relating to the project.

– It is very important to use the potential of our local government's company also in this way - says Leszek Bonna, Deputy Governor of the Pomerania Region. – In addition to infrastructure management and the implementation of subsequent investments, it is also worth remembering that PKM SA can share its vast experience with students. In a few or more years they will be working on new projects, the beneficiaries of which will be the inhabitants of Pomerania.

– Each of the three universities that are part of the FarU works hard on a daily basis to ensure that our graduates support efficiently and competently the economic development of Pomerania – says Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Chairman of the FarU’s Assembly and Rector of the Gdańsk University of Technology.  – The agreement we signed will allow our scientists, PhD candidates and students to work in many ways on one of the most ambitious transport projects to be implemented in our region in the coming years. We intend to actively support this project and exchange knowledge and experience with PKM experts.

– Our ambition is for the FarU to become a bond and distinguishing feature not only of our city and our universities, but of the entire Pomerania Region. Universities are the driving force of the economy based on specialist knowledge and rich experience of the members of their communities – emphasizes Prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, the FarU Director. – We will try to use this experience during the construction of a new railway line in the region – this should allow for the introduction of innovative and environmentally friendly solutions in this investment. The construction site may also turn out to be an interesting testing ground for environmental research.

– The new PKM South project we are preparing requires an interdisciplinary approach so that the solutions used in it are fully correlated with the current state of science, which in turn will allow for the optimization of individual areas of our activities – adds Grzegorz Mocarski, president of PKM SA. – The agreement signed today is an opportunity for a mutual exchange of experiences and opinions. Both parties will benefit from it. Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway will have the opportunity to listen to the opinions on the PKM South project from a wide group of experts in various fields, while students and academics will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practice.

The Fahrenheit Universities in Gdańsk (FarU) was founded in 2020 on the initiative of the rectors of the three largest universities in Gdańsk. Its objective is to build the position of Gdańsk as a strong academic centre in the national and international arena. Detailed information is available at https://faru.edu.pl/pl.

The Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway was established in 2010 as a company owned by the local government of the Pomerania Region. The company’s objective is to implement railway projects in the Pomerania Region and manage the infrastructure built by that company. More information about the PKM South project is available at https://www.pkm-sa.pl/projekty/pkm-poludnie/.

Photo P. Sudara/MUG