Multimodality of railway stations with particular focus on micromobility and rail transport on capillary lines

The aim of this article is to present the importance of using various means of transport when travelling within low-density areas. In such places, railways constitute the mobility backbone, while public transport and micromobility play a feeder role, especially in the first and last mile journeys. Local lines are socially and environmentally sustainable and play an important role in providing access to larger urban areas, and thus also to education, employment and medical services. The conducted researches show that better rail integration with multimodal services (e.g. car sharing, on-demand buses, cycling, bike sharing, walking) is needed. Cycling in particular is a natural and suitable mode of transport for covering the first and last mile while travelling door to door. Low-carbon and healthy mobility alternatives can be provided specifically for micromobility in conjunction with rail, thus contributing to more equitable and socially inclusive access to services and opportunities, especially in low-density areas where public transport is underserved. Railway stations usually have a significant position in the urban landscape, not only as complex nodes of mobility and transport, but also as public places that can be seen as integral elements of the location. As part of the RAIL4CITIES project, a model of stations as sustainable city promoters (SCP model) was developed and implemented in five European railway stations, including Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Poland.