Can the Metropolitan Rail System Hamper the Development of Individual Transport? (Case Study on the Example of the Szczecin Metropolitan Railway, Szczecin, Poland)

Rail transport is becoming an increasingly common mode of transport supporting agglomeration/metropolitan traffic. It is affected by a variety of factors, such as substantial degree of punctuality and safety, possibility of transporting a significant number of passengers at the same time, limited negative impact on the natural environment and the quality of being independent from road congestion. The emerging metropolitan rail networks can effectively counteract the uncontrolled development of individual transport, thus promoting the use of public transport in handling passenger traffic in urban and metropolitan areas. The primary purpose of the chapter was to identify current barriers hampering the use of public transportation by metropolitan residents and show the possibility of reducing those barriers by a metropolitan railway system on the example of the Szczecin Metropolitan Railway investment project in Poland. To this end, the following research methods were applied: critical evaluation of the relevant literature, documentary method, survey method, and individual in-depth interviews. In addition, the results of research carried out by the Authors during the implementation of the “Concept of the Szczecin Metropolitan Railway” (2012) and “Feasibility Study of the Szczecin Metropolitan Railway” (2014–2015) were used. The area of research was the Szczecin Metropolitan Area (SMA), Poland.