Dealing with transportation is somewhat of a thankless task. What are your priorities in your position, and what do you consider most pressing?

Ostrava has a decent transportation network, however, we are beginning to see some of it’s limits. We need to keep up our development of public transport, finish constructing certain key transportation structures as well as backbone cycling routes. The issue of parking spaces in certain locations is a chapter of its own. In my opinion, some of the most crucial construction projects include the III. phase of Místecká by the Tatran sports hall, the Northern connection to Poruba, and the bridge across Odra towards Petřkovice, just to name a few. These projects are currently ongoing and their progress has reached certain phases that makes up our main transport priorities. Other urgent projects include entrance ramps at the Místecká x Rudná juncion, the extension of Krmelínská, a sort of traffic bypass of Ostrava Jih, and the widening of Moravská street on the cusp of Ostrava Jih and Vítkovice. As far as cycling routes are concerned, our focus should mainly be directed at connecting Poruba with the city center and Ostrava Jih.

“ Our focus should mainly be directed at connecting Poruba with the city centerand Ostrava-Jih.”

The Místecká street you mentioned is an important traffic artery. Many of Ostrava’s citizens consider it to be the main exit route towards the Beskid mountains. Could you clue us in to the current state of the “extended Místecká street?”

Nowadays, this road  is a “tourist exit” towards the Beskid mountains because Místecká is an important junction used by the entire city. Many people use this road to enter Ostrava from Beskydy when commuting to work, going shopping or when reaching other forms of entertainment. It is a key traffic artery that is currently constricted at the Tatran sports hall. Currently, we have a draft for a solution and is being forged into project documentation. Even the state government realizes the importance of this project, which is why it will fund a large part of it. We have a signed memorandum regarding this project’s financing on the city, regional and state  level. 2027-2028 is the timeframe we are currently debating with the state. After its completion, passing through the city will be much smoother, and the traffic jams we are currently experiencing by the former Kotas winter stadium will disappear.“ 

We are deliberating over the execution of a Ostrava – Orlová – Karviná connection.”

Not everyone wants to or can afford to drive, meaning that public transport is also critical. What is your evaluation of Ostrava’s current public transport system?

In my opinion, Ostrava’s public transport is the best, most modern system in the country. When considering our modern vehicles, ecological buses or smart stops, I think we have nothing to be ashamed of. DPO was a pioneer in modernizing ticketing systems, at a time when physical paper tickets were the standard, they introduced the possibility of purchasing tickets with bank cards in the vehicles themselves. We will definitely continue in this modernization, however, transport vehicles will not be our only priority. We are planning on expanding, namely our tram lines. Currently, we are deliberating over the execution of a Ostrava - Orlová - Karviná connection. Preparations are also being made for the planning of a tram line cutting through Dolní Oblast Vítkovice to Černá Louka. This project will include a brand new urban district between DOV and the city center. We are also verifying the possibility of constructing an extra tram track in Poruba.

Sports is also part of your jurisdiction. What does the concept of “city of sports” include? Will Ostrava keep hosting popular international events?

Sports are a part of Ostrava. We host a number of professional, semi-professional and amateur sports clubs. We support leisure sports and manage a very expansive sports infrastructure, which we intend on developing and modernizing further. I strongly believe that the prestigious events Ostrava currently hosts will remain here, and a few new ones might pop up as well. The organizers of these events appreciate the foundation Ostrava offers them, as well as the great audience it has.

Dear deputy Mayor, thank you for the interview.