03.07.2023
According to an opinion poll conducted in the summer, support for the Rail Baltica railway connection remains unchanged, but belief in the realization of the project has grown.
According to a survey conducted by Turu-uuringute AS, 68 percent of the population supports a fast and modern railway connecting Estonia with Western and Central Europe, while 19 percent are against the railway connection. Support for the Rail Baltica project has been stable at at least 65 percent in Estonia for the third year in a row. Support continues to be highest among younger age groups (support in the 15-29 age group is 74%).
According to the survey, 49 percent of Estonian residents believe in the realization of the Rail Baltica project, while the rest are either not sure or cannot answer.
Compared to the survey conducted six months ago, belief in the project's realization has become significantly stronger; in December 2022, 40 percent of the population was certain or rather certain of it. Young people also consider the project's success more likely, with men somewhat more likely than women.
"We have reached the actual construction phase, almost ten railway crossing facilities are already complete, several are under construction or in operation, and construction of the main route will also begin this year," said the Chairman of the Board of Rail Baltic Estonia. Anvar Salomets reasons that have probably increased confidence in the realization of the project. "People understandably want to see that we are making progress with the construction and it is now possible to show this. More active construction in the coming years will primarily affect Harju and Rapla counties, but hopefully we will soon be able to make strong progress in Pärnu County as well," Salomets noted.
68 percent of the population consider the project's impact on Estonia to be positive, 18 percent to be negative, and the rest have no opinion on the matter.
The main advantages of Rail Baltica, according to the study, are saving human lives, faster and safer freight transport, and good mobility options to Europe. At the same time, the railway's environmental friendliness and regional potential are also valued.
The survey was conducted by Turu-uuringute AS, and the sample included 1003 Estonian residents aged 15-74. The survey can be viewed at HERE.
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