The following issues of Polish transport development policy seem to be especially important: (1) developing transport infrastructure; (2) financing transport development; and (3) modifying the branch structure of transport systems so that Polish transport gradually conforms with the transport systems of the European Union (EU). These issues are closely connected with each other. Effective action is needed, because the transport sector is becoming a major factor in slowing down Poland's economic development and in damaging cooperation with foreign business. The main controversies are about priorities and branch structure. The priorities adopted in the EU's Christophersen Plan do not always support Poland's interests, as they favour east-west connections and ignore north-south connections and ports in Poland. It would seem preferable to create transport corridors that integrate the infrastructure of different transport modes. On this criterion, the priority projects would be to develop the A-1 motorway, which has both national and international importance, and to modernise the E-20 railway line and the Oder waterway. The Act of Economic Activity, which came into force on 1 January 1989, was a major breakthrough in deregulating the Polish transport market, which opened it to private transport.
Abstract