Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Railways, Society, Transport

Liina Märtin, Project Manager in Faktum & Ariko that carried out the corresponding study, said that people generally know very well what Rail Baltica is. "A large majority of the respondents know that it is a railway project linking Estonia with the Baltic States and Europe. Respondents can often mention specific route location plans and the related discussions," added Martin. 57% of the respondents that are aware of Rail Baltica mentioned the Tallinn-Pärnu direction as the route.

"Although the general awareness about the project is good, information about the different thematic areas of the Rail Baltica is often judged to be inadequate," said Liina Märtin.

According to the survey, 74% of the people aware of Rail Baltica consider the effect of the project on Estonia positive, and 68% support its implementation. "While last year's surveys showed a slight fall in support, by now it has stopped, and the support for the project has stayed at the same level as a half a year ago," said Märtin.

As the positive effects of the project, study participants point out in particular the cargo transport and transit pickup, improvement of travelling possibilities and faster connections with Europe. The negative effects pointed out are the effect on the land and house owners by the railway route, damage to nature and the big cost of the project.

1,033 people were polled in June and July.