Poland - General Information: Difference between revisions

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===Infrastructure Authority===
===Infrastructure Authority===
The PKP Group subsidiary [http://en.plk-sa.pl/ ''Polskie Linie Kolejowe''] is responsible for maintenance of the infrastructure, timetabling and management of railway property.
The PKP Group subsidiary [http://en.plk-sa.pl/ ''Polskie Linie Kolejowe''] is responsible for maintenance of the infrastructure, timetabling and management of railway property.
In January 2020 the Infrastructure Ministry revealed plans to transfer responsibility for some closed lines to the provinces. Dolnośląskie will be the first to acquire such lines.


===Network Statement===
===Network Statement===

Revision as of 17:30, 7 August 2020

Country Name

Poland (Polska)

State railway system

Polskie Koleje Panstwowe SA (PKP) is the controlling entity for the PKP Group.

National Railway Operator

PKP Intercity is responsible for long-distance passenger transport.

PolRegio, formerly Przewozy Regionalne, is responsible for local (Regio) and InterRegio services and also InterRegioBus. Przewozy Regionalne was a wholly owned subsidiary of the PKP Group until 22 December 2008 when the shares were transferred to the 16 regional governments. However this changed from 21 September 2015 when the Government's Treasury’s industrial development and restructuring agency Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu acquired a 51% stake with the 16 Voivodships retaining 49%. The government intention with one majority shareholder is to improve management of PR, resolving different policies within the 16 regional authorities where some established their own local train operating companies or their own tenders for the provision of services.

Language

Polish.

Currency

Złoty.

UIC code

numeric 51; alpha PL.

Timetable

Journey Planner

  • Rozklad-pkp.pl Timetable. This website provides a link into the PKP ticket purchase system
  • or a Beta Version which from your query answer can display a route map of any selected train [including any unusual booked route] by clicking on the right hand side box three vertical dots
  • PKP Informatyka Your Routeplanner. This website does not provide a link into the PKP ticket purchase system

Downloadable Timetable

The complete Timetable for either the full year or just the current roughly quarterly period is available by selecting the required date option from Download zip 100 - P200.

This can be reduced to an individual Table by either Enter station name or by Enter Timetable number Note: some have changed over time or Line number. All will again give a period option, plus from a station search a list will be displayed, then click on the chevron to the left of the wished for Table number for a listing by period.

In all options it should be noted there are four pre-announced "adjustment" dates each year but the complete PDFs are re-issued on an almost weekly basis with no summary available of what has changed since the last set......

The last printed Timetable was for 2011/12, with no public access to any PDFs for 2012/13. Following on-line petitions the PDFs were made available again from 2013/14.

Additionally individual operators and PKP Inter City now publish PDFs, as do PolRegio by Voivodeship [Region]. Links are

By Operator

Intercity: PKP Intercity Rozkład jazdy but only by station.

International: which from 2018 are accessed by Country and not just one PDF file

Local Services: This first link leads to a large scale map of lines with the Regions superimposed on it PolRegio.. Once the requested Region is known, select the Region name from the drop down box for Links to Regional Timetables. Note the PolRegio link also contains useful information on discounted ticketing.

Other Operators: See Inni przewoźnicy pasażerscy (Other passenger operators) page, plus Sinfin railways of Poland, which supposedly links to all passenger, freight, operational Narrow Gauge, Metro and Trams in Poland. Any omitted should hopefully be included on EGTRE Other Railways.

Also downloadable since 2012/13 are the white/yellow station arrival/departure sheets, which include scheduled platforms [Peron] which are very useful where alternative routes exist.

Printed Timetable

None since Dec 2011 - Dec 2012 period; see previous section. PDF's from 1851 to 2011/12 [with gaps] listed by individual Table numbers in each year can be accessed at this link.

Additional Notes on reading the Timetable

Note the letters have been replaced by the more usual 1-7 indicating Monday to Sunday, and "F" & "G" are obsolete but are listed here to help interpret previous years printed TT's.

(A) Working days except Saturdays i.e. SSuX
(B) daily except Saturdays, i.e. SX
(C) Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, i.e. SSuO
(D) Mondays to Fridays except holidays, i.e. SSuX
(E) Mondays to Saturdays except holidays, i.e. SuX
(F) runs when advertised or required
(G) runs until further notice
z against timings in column means Bus replacement autobusowa komunikacja zastępcza
"I" in the middle of the train column the train passes through this station without stopping
"<" in the middle of the train column the train does not pass through that station but instead takes a different route
Codziennie Daily
Do until or to
Od from or since
do odwołania until further notice
autobus szynowy Railcar [i.e. a train]
Gł., Główny main station
I And
Kursuje Runs
Oprocz Except
Oraz As well as
p (przyjad) Arrive
po ogłoszeniu [from] when advertised
p.odg. (posterunek odgałęzny) junction
Poza tym Besides
Przez Via
st. station [stanica] i.e. do. st. Until station
Swiat Holidays
W On
Wąsk. (wąskotorowa) narrow gauge
z, ze from or after
Na odcinku ……. ruch pociagów zawieszony do odwołania On the section…. no scheduled trains until further notice

Engineering Information

These are now part of General Notices on the PolRegio website. Select Region from drop down box and read through all the Notices it displays.

Bus Information

The Rozkład jazdy autobusów PKS website offers a number of options including:

  • Ogólny rozkład jazdy autobusów PKS (Bus journey planner)
  • Rozkład jazdy autobusów PKS według miast (Bus information by city)
  • Rozkład jazdy komunikacji miejskiej według miast (Links to transport authority sites by city)

or the following from the ZTM Warsaw website which gives links to Operators in the majority of towns in Poland

Maps

Printed Maps

  • The "Mały Atlas Linii Kolejowych Polski 2011” * is a soft backed very detailed 1:300000 map comprising 102 pages and with notes in Polish, English and German published by Wydawnictwo Eurosprinter (ISBN 978-83-931006-3-7). The unusual lines and future changes sections include references to pages in this atlas e.g. "R14". A 2014 updated edition is available but only in Hardback.
  • European Railway Atlas: Poland and Kaliningrad by M.G. Ball (10 November 2019) ISBN 978-1-9161212-1-8
  • European Railway Atlas by M.G. Ball (10 September 2017) ISBN 978-1-9997875-1-6
  • The now discontinued PKP timetable was accompanied by a separate map with enlargements of Warszawa and Katowice. It distinguished electrified, narrow-gauge and broad-gauge lines but some lines and curves with no service for a number of years were still shown.
  • Eurosprinter, a Polish company, publishes a map of Poland

Web-based Maps

  • a countrywide but with zoom facility on-line map unfortunately without line numbers but shows current status, plus detail such as electrication and single/double track etc
  • Open Railway map. Zoom into Poland and this contains Line numbers at a much more detailed level than the Atlas Maly
  • Thorsten Büker's Map of Poland [Although this remains on-line, Mr Büker has advised they are not being updated so note for Poland it is dated 30 November 2011]
  • EGTRE Maps and Plans - Poland
  • Linked from the PKP Website http://mapa.plk-sa.pl/ so assumed to be official. It takes a short while to load.
  • Detailed individual train journey maps can be obtained from the Beta Version of the PKP Journey Planner which will even include any unusual booked route. After a search click on the three vertical line option on the right hand side of the screen.

For anyone interested in historical maps plus line closure dates, the bazakolejowa website in Polish is a good starting point.

Ticketing

PKP offers a number of network tickets which offer good value, although travellers need to take care differentiating between not only PKP Inter City and PolRegio services but even different types of regional service. The Polrail travel website provides useful introductory information in English and can assist with ticket purchases for throughout Europe. The Świat Podróży Kolejowych website provides useful information in Polish, including:

  • Passenger train operators > 2. PRZEWOŹNICY KOLEJOWI
  • Types of train > 3. KATEGORIE POCIĄGÓW
  • Special offers (network tickets) > 5. OFERTY PROMOCYJNE

Terms and Conditions are constantly changing so this is not to be taken as definitive Information and prospective travellers should be aware that some regional operators accept only their own tickets so should check beforehand. Some regions accept PKP network tickets but none of them accepts ordinary (non-network) PKP tickets.

  • The following operators normally accept PKP network tickets: Arriva RP, ŁKA (except Sprinter services), KS, KW, KMŁ
  • The following operators do not normally accept PKP network tickets: KM, SKM Warszawie, WKD, KD, SKM Trójmieście.

See Other Railways for details of these operators.

If the boarding station is not staffed or has no machines, it should be possible to buy a ticket on the train for no penalty if the passenger goes immediately to the front of the train where the guard will be located. An additional fee may be charged if they come round the train to find you!

The Koleje Mazowieckie website (the area round Warsaw) gives details of useful network type tickets. However, care should be taken to distinguish between Koleje Mazowieckie (KM) and Szybka Kolej Miejska w Warszawie (SKM) services as they only accept each other's tickets on certain routes, for example between central Warsaw and Warsaw Chopin Airport. ZTM (Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego), the Warsaw Transport Authority, has a useful map showing the tariff zone boundaries in the metropolitan area indicating where KM, SKM Warszawie, WKD have some limited inter-availibility, plus details of daily or weekly zonal tickets covering all but main line and PR services. Additionally KM tickets are accepted by WKD under some conditions; see Honouring of Tickets.

Some major stations are equipped with machines offering an extensive range of tickets (including some network tickets), which accept coins, notes and credit and debit cards. However, many stations have no ticket machines and even major ones only a few and not for all operators, Warszawa Centralna being the classic example where there are no SKM or KM machines. Ticket windows are the norm, often with separate windows for PKP Inter City and Regional services. Queues can be long, especially at peak times, and ample time should be allowed to buy tickets.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Authority

The PKP Group subsidiary Polskie Linie Kolejowe is responsible for maintenance of the infrastructure, timetabling and management of railway property.

In January 2020 the Infrastructure Ministry revealed plans to transfer responsibility for some closed lines to the provinces. Dolnośląskie will be the first to acquire such lines.

Network Statement

2019/20 and 2020/21

Gauge

The main line network is Standard. In addition 394 km of a 1520mm gauge freight-only "Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa" (Broad-Gauge Steel Line) between Sławków near Katowice and Vladimir in Ukraine is in Poland but this is not shown on any timetable map and was formerly part of PKP and known as the "Steel and Sulphur Railway". The LHS has a separate website plus a Supporters Club website lhs.pl with interactive maps and photographs. A suggested extension into the Czech Republic/Austria is mentioned from time to time and seems to be gaining momentum with the increase in rail traffic from China etc but would be enormously expensive. Other broad gauge tracks cross into Poland on routes from the Ukraine, Belarus and Kaliningrad.

Electrification

Main line electrification is 3 kV DC. The WKD system in Warszawa (see Other Railways) was converted from 600 V to 3 kV DC on 27-28 May 2016.

Rule of the road

Right.

Distances

The timetable PDFs (see the 'Downloadable Timetable' section above) give detailed distances for each station. The "Mały Atlas Linii Kolejowych Polski 2011” gives detailed distances for each station, junction and significant operating location.

Two websites have tables of distances by line number (not table number).

  • In Semaforek enter the line number in the 'szukaj' box at the top right and click the search button.
  • On the Atlaskolejowy select the line from the drop down list labelled 'Wykaz linii kolejowych w Polsce' .

Other Railways

The last PKP operated Narrow Gauge scheduled passenger trains ran in July 2001 but a 4km part of ex PKP line 317 from Pleszew PKP to Pleszew Miasto still ran SSuX [except school holidays] operated by private Company SKPL, [Stowarzyszenie Kolejowych Przewozów Lokalnych] until 7 December 2012. The branch is actually dual gauge and Standard gauge freight traffic continued, then SKPL resumed a passenger service on 4 May 2015 which continues in 2020. SKPL. Note SKPL acquired standard gauge BzMot's which took over the service from February 2017 until that summer (when they were required elsewhere) with the NG Railcars resuming again but Germany Society IBSE reported later that year that the service would no longer be worked by NG Units and a June 2018 traveller was by BzMot. So it was unexpected when SKPL advertised an hourly Sunday afternoon narrow gauge service from 02 July to end August 2020 which are included in the lines timetable and the images used are diesel and coaches.

The DB subsidiary Usedomer Bäderbahn opened a 1.5 km extension from Seebad Ahlbeck Grenze to Świnoujście Centrum in Poland on 20 September 2008. Built mainly on a reinstated formation, there are plans to extend back into Germany to Garz Airport. There will be no physical connection to the PKP network which is on the opposite side of the River Odra.

See Gauge for details of the "Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa" (Broad-Gauge Steel Line).

Private operators have franchises to work a number of local passenger services over PKP lines:

Click here for a useful map showing the regions.

  • KM Koleje Mazowieckie KM operates local services in Mazowieckie, the area round Warszawa.
  • SKM Szybka Kolej Miejska w Warszawie operates local services in the Warsaw conurbation, including services to Warsaw Frederic Chopin airport.
  • WKD Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa operates self contained local services from Warszawa Śródmieście to Grodzisk Mazowiecki Radońska and Milanówek Grudów.
  • SKM Szybka Kolej Miejska w Trójmieście (Three Cities) operates local services in the Gdansk/Gdynia conurbation, including regional services between Gdynia and Slupsk, as well as some trains to Tczew and Malbork.
  • Arriva RP Arriva operates local services in Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province and partly in the Pomorskie and Mazowieckie provinces, based around Bydgoszcz, Toruń and Grudziądz.
  • ŁKA Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna operates local services around Łódź
  • KD Koleje Dolnośląskie operates local services in Lower Silesia, the region around Wrocław.
  • KMŁ Koleje Małopolskie operates local services in Małopolskie, the region around Krakow
  • KS Koleje Śląskie operates local services in Silesia, the region around Katowice.
  • KW Koleje Wielkopolskie operates local services in Wielkopolskie, the region around Poznań and during 2018 local services radiating from Poznań itself will be separated out into a Poznań Kolej Metropolitana franchise.

Tourist Lines

A number of ex PKP narrow gauge lines, and also ex Forestry Railways such at Cisna and Płociczno offer tourist or charter services.

A summary of all narrow gauge lines in Poland as at 2015 with links to websites etc can be ascertained using the interactive map at:-

Narrow Rail Poland

Rail cycling is possible on a number of lines; see the IG Draisinenfahrten website. Click on 'International', followed by 'Draisinenlinks' to obtain website details under the heading 'Draisinenstrecken in Polen (PL)'.

Any further information on tourist line operations would be welcomed.

Metro

Warszawa. An expanding Network, with a 3.1km eastern extension of Line 2 from Dworzec Wileński to Targówek opening on 15 September 2019 and a 3.4km western extension from Rondo Daszyńskiego to Księcia Janusza opened 04 April 2020. Further extensions under construction at both ends of Line 2 are shown in an on-line map and planned to open in 2022 and 2024.

Trams

Bydgoszcz, Częstochowa, Elbląg, Gdańsk, Gorzów [Suspended for upgrading of the tracks towards the end of 2017. All Tram routes are still bus substituted as of November 2019], Grudziądz, Katowice area [no longer including Gliwice as this part of the system closed on 31 August 2009], Kraków, Łódź [including interurban lines, although those to Lutomiersk [43] and Ozorkow [46] have closed], Olsztyn, Poznań, Szczecin, Toruń, Warszawa, Wrocław.

Some links are available on the Sinfin.net site.

See also Poland - Tram services over obscure routes

Recent and future changes

Future Changes

  • A Tender for a 6 km extension of the Olsztyn tram network was issued in March 2020. This will be from the Wysoka Brama branch to the Pieczewo district. https://www.transport-publiczny.pl/wiadomosci/olsztyn-w-przededniu-przetargu-na-rozbudowe-sieci-tramwajowej-64215.html
  • The 3 year contract with PKP Cargo to operate steam on limited service trains from Wolsztyn was due to expire in May 2020 [steam resumed after a gap since 31 March 2014 on 15 May 2017] and was not thought likely to be renewed but funding has been provided until at least November 28 2020. A highly recommended but UNOFFICIAL website reports daily on steam workings. The steam service from Wednesday 1 July 2020 is two pairs SSuX Wolsztyn - Lezsno plus two pairs SO Wolsztyn - Poznan, after the Monday to Friday service being three pairs Wolsztyn - Zbąszynek SSuX from 16th March 2020 until 30 June 2020 due to engineering work on the Leszno line. Any travellers should note it has been known for steam to cease during August for staff holidays and it is suggested there will be another period of steam working to Zbąszynek in September 2020 but details are not yet known. The annual Steam Parade at Wolsztyn scheduled for 2 May 2020 was cancelled due to the Covid-19 virus.
  • Work to reopen Warszawa Główną, the Terminal station closed twenty years ago and then occupied by the National Railway Museum [to be relocated] has commenced for use whilst engineering work reduces capacity through Warszawa Centralna. The on line 2019/20 Peron sheet in December 2019 showed one arrival SSuX at 07:43 from Sochaczew commencing 16 March 2020, even displaying it correctly in the Journey Planner map view, but in the March 2020 timetable adjustment this was shown as a bus. Despite re-opening planned for the Autumn, the bus is shown as continuing until December and a July 2020 traveller advises the Catenary was incomplete with no wires at Warszawa Główną.
  • in the budget for refurbishing line 146 to Wisła Głębce is funding for works on ex Table 147 from Goleszów - Cieszyn. Work has commenced with a target re-opening date of the December 2021 Timetable change.
  • line 285 a 200M Zloty contract has been signed for works to reopen Wrocław to Świdnica via Sobótka with works planned to complete "by the end of 2021".
  • 216 line 292 from Wroclaw Soltysowice to Jelcz Miloszyce is planned to reopen in 2021. This follows the temporary opening of an 8km section to Wroclaw Wojnow from 10 April 2017 to 8 December 2018
  • the 27km line 52 from Lewki - Hajnówka reopened to freight in 2018, but as station works were not completed, the proposed weekend passenger service from 9 June 2019 and full service from the "fourth quarter 2020" were delayed with a 10 July 2020 Press announcement advising PKP Regio will commence running 6-8 pairs of Białystok - Hajnówka services from "January 2021". Old maps show a triangle at the Lewki end but only the curve to/from Białystok is reinstated.
  • When Kościerzyna to Gdynia/Gdansk is closed for up to three years for doubling and electrification, the 14km freight line from podg Glincz via Stara Piła [line 229] to Gdansk Kokoszki [line 234], plus 1.5km currently lifted to Gdańsk Kiełpinek will initially be an temporary alternative [with buses onwards]. The first tender for these works was cancelled in February 2020 as no bid was near the estimated Budget but it was re-issued in May 2020 with reduced specifications for completion by the end of 2022. The local Voivodship suggestion of this reopening being extended to Gdańsk Wrszeszc is not included in this plan.
  • the contract to re-open and re-electrify line 28, the 3 km branch from Weiliszew to Zegrze was signed in April 2020 for passenger services in the fourth quarter of 2022. To be served by an extension of the SKM service from Warsaw to Legionowo.
  • The Szczecin suburban upgrade started in December 2019 including reopening line 406 26km north to Police with completion planned in 2022.
  • EU funding for electrification and reopening of line 182 from Tarnowskie Góry via Katowice [Pyrzowice] Airport to Zawiercie was granted in September 2018, with construction planned to start in 2020 and an estimated opening date in 2022. However all eight tenders received exceeded the Budget so as at May 2020 further developments are awaited but a delay looks likely.
  • the TBM for the 7km Y-shaped underground tunnel from Łódź Fabryczna via new stations at Łódź Polesie and Łódź Śródmieście with links to both Łódź Kaliska and Łódź Żabieniec is scheduled to start work in June 2020 with opening planned by the end of 2022.
  • The long discussed new curve (tables 100/109) from the CMK towards Kielce is moving forward, planned for completion by 2022.
  • The Zawada avoider [1.9km] is planned to be reinstated to speed up services between Lublin and Zamość
  • line 35 Ostrołęka - Chorzele Work is to reopen despite a suggestion that Voivodship funding may be redirected elsewhere as 40 km of the old track has already been dismantled and the contractor has purchased 70% of the sleepers, rails and crushed stone needed. PLK plans to complete the project in mid-2022

A map accredited to the Ministry of Infrastructure and PKP PLK was supported by a public announcement in May 2020 by no less than the Polish Prime Minister advising of a project for 150 “new” stations to be added to the passenger network by 2025. The map included:-

  • Line 36 11 stations between Łapy and Ostrołęka 88km
  • Line 411 Stargard Szczcinski - Stargard Szczcinski Kluczewo 5.7km

Rail travel promotion is a popular topic in Government at present, the latest initiative being a Kolej + program for upgraded, new or reinstated rail connections to cities with a population of over 10,000. The budget is PLN 6.5 billion, which would be increased by a compulsory 15% contribution from local government on any that proceed. The target is for local government applications to be made by August 26 2020 for evaluation, then creation of a ranking list on a national scale with any approved to be implemented by 2028. Applications can be for new stations or modernization of the existing network including new passing points, but it is known that studies are already underway into the following reopenings or new lines which may form part of this program:-

  • line 212 fromn Lipusz - Bytów with a direct service to the Tri-Cities
  • line 228 [Gdynia] - Rumia - Gdynia Port Oksywie
  • a new line from Poznań Główny via Poznań Ławica Airport and Tarnów Podgórne to Kaźmierz, linking in to reactivate onwards on 363 to Międzychód
  • line 369 from Czempiń to Śrem.
  • Line 177/294 Racibórz - Głubczyce - Racławice Śląskie as part of the Opole Regional Operational Program for 2021-2027
  • The Dolnośląski Voivodeship is currently very pro-rail as evidenced by recent and pending re-openings and they took over another six routes from PKP SA on November 28 2019 which may become part of any Kolej + funding bid:-
  • 284 Jerzmanice-Zdrój – Lwówek Śląski
  • 291 Wałbrzych Szczawienko − Boguszów Gorce Wschod
  • 310 Kobierzyce– Piława Górna
  • 316 Chojnów – Rokitki
  • 327 Nowa Ruda Słupiec– Radków
  • 318 Srebrna Góra– Bielawa Zachodnia plus
  • 317 Gryfów Śląski to Mirsk and 336 from Mirsk to Świeradów Zdrój [effectively one branch] were acquired in late May 2020 with the intention of a passenger service "within two years". Other prospective purchases later in 2020 are:-
  • 283 Jelenia Góra - Lwówek Śląski, 308 Kamienna Góra - Kowary - [Mysłakowice] and 340 from Jelenia Góra - Mysłakowice - Karpacz

In addition PKP PLK have issued an investment plan up to 2040 with works costed at PLN 250 billion with EU funds to play a huge role in its financing. The list is to be regard as preliminary and observers are already suggesting that full implementation is extremely ambitious. It includes many of those listed above which would be taken forward by Local Voivodeships and Kolej + but those only in the PKP PLK documents are:-

  • Brand new lines from Jasło - Dębica, Przemyśl - Zagórz, Chorzew Siemkowice to Wieluń, Płock - Raciąż - Ciechanów - Ostrołęka, Modlin - Ostrołęka, Gdynia - Wiczlino - Bojano and route 73 to the centre of Busko Zdrój plus re-openings of
  • 24 Piotrków Trybunalski - Bełchatów
  • 113 [Kraków] Podłęże - Niepołomice [note the old alignment is now a road!]
  • 159 via Jastrzębie Zdrój from both Wodzisław and Żory
  • 132 Bytom Bobrek – Pyskowice primarily for freight but a passenger service to be considered as would a related reinstatement of 198 Paczyna to Pyskowice Miasto, possibly on a new alignment
  • 230 Wejherowo - Góra Pomorska

Rail Baltica

    • PKP PLK awarded contracts in January 2018 for (1) detail design planning for the complete renewal as a double track alignment of the line from Białystok to Ełk by 2023, (2) a feasibility study to upgrade Ełk to Suwałki and to the Lithuanian border. The latter is to include the reinstatement of the curves bypassing Olecko and Suwałki with relocation of the latter station; these will eliminate two reversals. Allegedly it is to be double track and electrified throughout. At a March 2020 EU Rail Baltica Conference, PKP advised they hope to have all works completed by 2027.
    • A March 2019 announcement advised that plans are for four passenger trains per day from Tallinn to Warszawa with two extra per day between Vilnius, Kaunas and Warszawa, plus Tallinn – Riga – Kaunas – Warszawa – Berlin and Vilnius – Kaunas – Warszawa – Berlin overnight trains.
    • Linked with this, works to refurbish Ostrołęka - Łapy for use when Czyżew - Białystok on the main line is closed for refurbishment were completed in Summer 2018. Press coverage also suggested passenger diversions via Czeremcha but despite long periods of closures and single line working on the direct main line there have been none.
  • PKP PLK issued a Tender in October 2017 for the long discussed new line from Podłęże [east of Krakow] to both Mszana Dolna towards Chabowka and Tymbark towards Nowy Sącz on line 104, and an associated upgrade of the entire line between Chabówka and Nowy Sacz. Completion is estimated by 2026.
  • From June 2017 Ukrainian citizens no longer need a Visa to visit the EU, so daytime services were introduced, then increased on existing cross border routes. There were suggestions others may reopen including via Rawa-Russka with even test trains on some long closed lines such as Kroscienko - Chirów and Przemysl - Nizankowice - [Chirów] using a SKPL BzMot or Engineering vehicles respectively! Full details are in the EGTRE Cross Border section.
  • Short Line operator SKPL, better known for running the Pleszew branch service, approached the local Authorities in 2017 with an offer to reopen the 24km line from Tarnów - Dąbrowa Tarnowska (and possibly later through to Szczucin, a further 24km) subject to receiving a subsidy of approximately PLN 1,200,000 annually but this is believed to have been rejected as not cost effective.
  • Line 249. PKM are considering reopening the Gdansk Nowy Port branch to regular services, as opposed to the infrequent services already running for events at the Expo Stadium
  • 151: the Tychy Lodowisko service is planned to be extended and electrified via podg Piast and Nowy Bieruń to Oświęcim with 5 station re-openings to assist car plant workers with their commuting. Despite press articles in May 2020 saying funding was not available for construction, PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. signed a contract for PLN 10 million with the Silesian Voivodeship in July 2020 for documentation, to lead towards an application for EU funds from the 2021-2027 Budgets.
  • Improvements are planned to the 5.6 km freight branch serving Warsaw Modlin Airport in order to provide a passenger service. Originally planned to include a new 1.5 km underground section and station at the Terminal, it is believed plans are now a ground level station close to the Airport.
  • A second tender for a new 5km branch off the Rzeszów to Ocice line to serve Rzeszów-Jasionka airport was issued in May 2020 as the first was cancelled due to over estimate bids.

Electrification

  • Rzeszów – Ocice (line 71) for completion by the end of 2021.
  • A contract on the feasibility of doubling and electrifying the Bydgoszcz – Kościerzyna – Gdynia route for diverting freight traffic off the existing main line was awarded in February 2018. It will also investigate possible electrification of Wierzchucin – Tuchola – Chojnice, Czersk – Chojnice, and Lipowa Tucholska - Szlachta – Czersk – Bąk with new curves on and off 426 Chojnice - Tczew.
  • PKP PLK awarded a contract in February 2018 for design work on electrifying Korsze – Ełk but this has been allegedly been delayed until after and not alongside associated track renewal so this may not commence until 2023.
  • In February 2018 Łódzkie Voivodship awarded a contract to plan electrification of Tomaszów Mazowiecki – Opoczno.

Freight line potential re-openings but included here as lengthy lines

  • a 55km section of line 410 between Grotnik Drawskie and Drawno via Zlociniec on T385 and Kalisz Pomorski on T365 by 2026. Neither includes work to passenger traffic standard but West Pomeranian Voivodeship have stated that if it was they would help with renovating onwards from Drawno to the junction with T360 at Choszczno…
  • 33km of 283 south from Żagań to Osiecznica Kliczkow on the line towards Zebrzydowa was planned for reopening but PKP PLK annulled the tender in May 2020 as all offers greatly exceeded the cost estimate.

Changes during the Timetable Period commencing 15 December 2019

A number of Sparse Services including all cross border services were suspended from various dates in Spring 2020, assumed linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. The June 2020 all year PDFs shows the affected internal services were:-

  • 203 Nysa - Głuchołazy Miasto no service after 13 April until timetabled from 30 August
  • 235 the SSuO Nysa – Kamieniec Zabkowice service suspended from 17 April until timetabled from 30 August
  • 381 Słupsk - Ustka Uroczysko were withdrawn from 23 March and resumed on the 27 June
  • 384 Sławno - Darłowo branch ceased running on 15 March, again resuming on 27 June
  • part 410 Sierpc - Toruń Wschodni no service after 18 March, ran on 27/28 April and is shown resuming on 31 August
  • 431a Laskowice Pomorskie to Wierzchuchin suspended from 18 March until timetabled from 31 August 2020
  • 612 the new for 2019/20 Warszawa Lotnisko Chopina direct to Łódź Fabryczna IC’s suspended from 18 March but shown resuming on 30 August
  • 146a Chybie - Żory has had no service since 8 May but are shown to restart with just one pair on 31 October
  • 130 Stróże avoiding line only used in June FO and SuO.
  • 131 No trains Stróże to Gorlice Zagórzany in July, August and most of September
  • 200 All Warszawa – Wrocław services were diverted to call at Łódź Kaliska from 14 June to 29 August so no scheduled use of the avoiding curve
  • 503 from [Olsztyn -] Gutkowo to Braniewo has been bustituted for some time, allegedly for refurbishment work, but PKP PLK in June 2020 advised the fourth tender for just the section from Gutkowo to Dobre Miasto again exceeded the estimate, the same reason the three previous tenders were annulled. With no works and no date for resumption of train services the Marshall's Office stopped funding the replacement buses which were withdrawn from 1 April 2020. There is not even a PDF included with the June Timetable Adjustment. Then on 25 June 2020 a tender was awarded for renewal of a middle part of the line from Dobre Miasto - Orneta [2020/21] and Orneta – Pieniężno [2022/23] with allegedly no work required to then reopen from Pieniężno to Braniewo as trains could run at 50 kmh.
  • Electrification between Węgliniec and Zgorzelec was completed in time for the December 2019 timetable change. Related to this some DB services are extended cross border to Zgorzelec [but note Görlitz to Zgorzelec is not electrified] and the one train using the Zgorzelec avoiding curve ceased
  • 130 Muszyna to Plaveč in Slovakia service will run SSuO in winter for the first time in many years from 28 December 2019 to 23 February 2020. The 2020 summer dates are from 6 June to 6 September
  • a 5.9km section of long closed line 341 between Dzierżoniów Ślaski and Bielawa Zachodnia reopened on 15 December 2019 as Table 234.
  • 267 Beyond Lubin Górniczy to Rudna Gwizdanów reopened on 15 December 2019
  • 350 part Głogów to Leszno reopened on 15 December 2019
  • 381 Słupsk to Ustka. An agreement between PKP PLK and the Pomeranian Voivodship was signed on 28 February 2017 mentioning Ustka Osiedle which was one stop beyond Ustka on the former route to Sławno and closer to the Baltic coast. This extension opened on 15 December 2019 but the station is named Ustka Uroczysko. Additionally the branch now has an year round service for the first time in many years.
  • long promised work on upgrading the tracks through Warszawa Centralna has commenced with diversion of the Legionowo Piaski to Warszawa Lotnisko Chopina service via Warszawa Gdańska and Warszawa Zachodnia Peron 8
  • IC trains to Warszawa Lotnisko Chopina direct to/from Łódź Fabryczna commenced on 15 December 2019 that use previously freight only lines 510 to Warszawa Golabki and 19 to Piastow.

Changes during the Timetable Period commencing 9 December 2018

  • 247 The cross border service from Sędlisław to Trutnov in the Czech Republic went from 4 pairs SSuO to 1 pair daily on 2 September 2019.
  • 126/555 when Lublin to Stalowa Wola Rozwadów reopened on 1 September 2019 after electrification, the through Lublin - Tarnobrzeg - Rzeszów services no longer used curve 565 from Stalowa Wola Towarowy – Pilchów. Last use was therefore on 1 March 2018. [subsequently reopened…]
  • 130 a summer only weekends cross border service from Muszyna to Plaveč in Slovakia resumed from 29 June to 1 September 2019
  • Ex part 541 a weekend service from Hajnówka and Siemianówka commenced, running between 28th June - 31st August.
  • 550 the daytime Ukrainian operated Broad Gauge DMU pair from Kovel to Chełm was cut back to Dorohusk on 9 June and has not run since 18 June 2019 [see Cross Borders]
  • 267 Legnica to Lubin Górniczy reopened on 9 June 2019
  • 554 The reinstated 1.5km Rejowiec avoiding curve reopened to passenger services on 9 June 2019.
  • 540 the 3.5km separate westbound line on the north side of the now derelict yard at Biała Podlaska Rozrzadowa between km 173.7 and 177.2 closed on 9 March 2019. Doubling on the south side is due to complete in August 2020
  • 131 Gorlice branch has services again
  • 146 a weekend only Gliwice – Wisla booked via Zabrze Makoszowy Kopalna West to south, Gieraltowice to Lesczczyny [Line 148]. To note this SSuO pair also travel via PSUL entries Żory – Chybie and the Chybie west curve.
  • 160/220 Kędzierzyn-Koźle avoiding line came into passenger use
  • 200a The overnight pair via the Zduńska Wola East to North curve no longer run but daytime use resumed later in the year
  • 216 Wrocław Nadodrze to Wrocław Wojnow temporarily closed again. Reopening through to Jelcz is a possibility for 2021.
  • 355 no use scheduled for the Rzepin avoiding line
  • 355/300 there are new Szczecin - Warszawa services via the small connection at the east end of Rzepin station
  • 368 Pair booked to/from Szczecin-Gumience via Szczecin Wzgórze Hetmańskie and Szczecin Pomorzany according to the JP map
  • 384 Sławno - Darłowo that had been seasonal has a limited all year round service
  • 601 Żakowice Południowe – p.odg. Zieleń – Koluszki is back in use

Changes during the Timetable Period commencing 10 December 2017

  • Line 73 The long closed (Kielce) - Sitkówka Nowiny - Busko-Zdrój branch reopened with two Regio train pairs SSuO 30 June & 2 September 2018.
  • 321 Gniezno – Września - Jarocin reopened to passenger services on 10 June 2018.
  • A seasonal service commenced 3 April covering the cross border line from Mieroszów PKP to Meziměstí ČD which will run until 2 September 2018 operated by Koleje Dolnośląskie (KD).
  • 115 A Daily TLK pair via Sandomierz to Grębów from the new TT [also via the Skarżysko Kamienna avoider that commenced a short while before]
  • 135 The Kraków Plaszów avoiding curve opened 10 December 2017
  • 151 The Praha - Kraków daytime train resumed running all year with the new TT
  • 431a Laskowice Pom. – Wierzchucin service revised from one train in one direction to a pair FSuO
  • 554 Zamość Wschód – Hrubieszów Miasto reopened with the new TT with a daily TLK

Changes during the Timetable Period commencing 11 December 2016

  • 134 the limited SSuO services to Lupków were extended cross border to reopen the 18km line to Medzilaborce in Slovakia between 1 July - 3 September 2017
  • 384 the Darłowo branch reopened on 24 June for the Summer with four train pairs SSuX and six train pairs SSuO
  • 175 The limited services beyond Zawadzkie to Kielcza were withdrawn on 23 June 2017
  • 550 a daytime Ukrainian operated Broad Gauge EMU pair from Kovel to Chełm commenced on 12 June 2017
  • 300 Parts of the main line from Poznan to Warszawa will be shut from 11 June 2017 continuously until June 2019: Podstolice [west junction for Wrzesnia] – Konin between June 17 - July 18, Konin – Kutno July & August 18, Konin – Zamków [Junction west of Kłodawa] August 18 - June 19. There are diversions either via Gniezno, the Inowrocław avoider and 315, or via 320, the Ostrów Wielkopolski avoider and Zdunska Wola
  • Warsaw Zachodnia P8 to Warsaw Gdanska was closed for six months from 11 June 2017 due to upgrade works
  • 100/113 The Warszawa - Radom pair that for a period ran via the CMK & Idzikowice resumed their normal route via 605 on 11 June 2017
  • 551a Łuków – Parczew Kolejowa – [Lublin] reopened from 11 June 2017 for numerous diverted TLK's as Deblin to Lublin is closed for engineering work with Posters suggesting this will last until "the end of 2019". Note all Deblin avoider services are then diverted to terminate at Deblin.
  • the new avoiding curve and station at Sucha Beskidzka Rynek opened on 11 June 2017.
  • 126 A weekend only pair from Rzeszów to Sandomierz reopened the section from Tanobrzeg to Sandomierz on 11 June 2017
  • 328/332 the reintroduction of the daily scheduled steam service from Wolsztyn was delayed from the planned 12th March until 15th May 2017 due to issues with the coaching stock with two pairs between Wolsztyn and Leszno SSuX, 2 pairs Wolsztyn - Poznan SSuO. However due to engineering work on both routes they were revised to be between Wolsztyn and Zbaszynek from 16th July but resumed as planned wef 1 September 2017. Details are on the Wolsztyn Experience website
  • 216 From 10 April 2017 an 8km section of freight line 292 reopened with a SSuX service from Wrocław Nadodrze to Wrocław Wojnow. This is part way to Jelcz Laskowice on table 215 and is unusual as it is 100% Subsidised by the City of Wroclaw. The first service was known to be short term for the track to be refurbished [with possibly onwards to Jelcz Laskowice also reopening] and apart from a four day service from 19 - 23 June, no trains ran between 15 June and 31 August 2017.
  • 115 Sandomierz - Grebów Closure on 10 December 2016
  • 122 a daytime Ukrainian operated Broad Gauge EMU pair from L’vov – Przemyśl was re-introduced starting on 23 December 2016
  • 137 Sucha Beskidzka - Zywiec: Reopening one pair on FSuO from 11 December 2016
  • 140 Dąbrowa Górnicza Ząbkowice – Jaworzno Szczakowa Closure on 10 December 2016
  • 141 Local services between Oświęcim, Skawina and Kraków were withdrawn again on 10 December 2016 after only resuming on 12 December 2015. Use by a night train pair continues, plus a daytime Praha - Kraków pair.
  • 166 Bytom - Gliwice Reopening but just 1 pair of overnights
  • 200a/315 Zdunska Wola east to north curve and 315 to Inowrocław in use by overnights from 11 December 2016
  • 250 Withdrawal of the weekends only train service with replacement buses Jelenia Gora to Lwówek Słąski and no service to Zebryzdowa. Even the buses were then withdrawn on 9 December 2017. Note the return service towards Wrocław ran on Sunday 11 December, the first day of the new Timetable period.
  • 321 Grabowno Wielkopolski - Krotoszyn Closure on 10 December 2016, allegedly for track repairs
  • 431a Laskowice Pom. – Wierzchucin Reopening with one train, i.e. not a pair a day SSuX which varied in time and direction during the TT year!
  • 520 podg Szymany - Wielbark Closure 24 December 2016
  • 601 Łódź Fabryczna - Łódź Widzew reopened on 11 December 2016 with the new Tunnel from Łódź Niciamiana and underground station at Fabryczna. No doubt linked with this reopening there are no services in 2017 via Łódź Olechów, so a closure on 10 December 2016
  • 606 KM withdrew the limited services off the Sochaszew line direct to/from Warszawa Gdanska so last train 9 December 2016
  • 609 The curve from Chotomów – Legionowo Piaski reopened to passengers 11 December 2016 as the limited services from Tłuszcz to Sierpc no longer double run via Warszawa Gdanska
  • 614 No TLK’s booked via Otwock so nothing from Warszawa Wschodnia via podg Warszawa Antoninów – podg Warszawa Gocławek. Closure 10 December 2016

Changes during the Timetable Period commencing 13 December 2015

Re-openings

  • The major freight only cross border line from Węgliniec to Horka in Germany reopened after electrification on 25 November 2016, but is still not electrified on the German side of the Border. Note this line is being used for limited passenger Diversions in 2017, see the Unusual Lines entry PL17/41A
  • 520 the line south from the junction towards Szymany Lotnisko to Wielbark reopened on 29 October 2016, one pair SSuO, a second pair commencing one week later. It closed again on 24 December 2016!
  • 131 The branch from Gorlice to Gorlice Zagorzany reopened on 3 October 2016 with a pair on Friday and outbound early Monday
  • 530/M2 An IC service each way between Kraków and Grodno (Belarus) via the Kuznica Bialystocka border crossing commenced from 4 September 2016, a portion off the Kraków <> Suwałki train
  • 175 Reopening of an 8km section of the line from Fosowskie to Tarnowskie Gory from Zawadzkie to Kielcza wef 1 September 2016
  • Ex 122 Three pairs a day SSuX are re-introduced between Przymsyl and Medyka on the Standard Gauge tracks wef 1 September 2016
  • Ex 536 A weekend pair ran between Białystok and Waliły between 2 July and 9 October 2016, the first passenger use for 16 years
  • 355 An overnight pair is booked via the Rzepin avoiding line wef 25 June 2016
  • 429/440 Czerk to Kościerzyna via Bąk reopened on 25 June 2016 with use by an overnight service. Service withdrawn at the end of that Summer period.
  • 537 Suwałki to Kaunas in Lithuania on the new Rail Baltica Standard gauge Line commenced FSSuMO on 17 June 2016, the separate daily PKP IC service north from Suwałki to Mockava and Sestokai has NOT resumed
  • 431 the complete service between Laskowice Pomorski and Wierzchucin was bustitued from 5 June 2016. Very limited trains wef 11 December 2016
  • 134 The scheduled Zagórz - Komańcza Holidays, Friday & weekend only services were extended to Lupkow when they resumed on 30 April 2016
  • 100/113 A daily service using the curve from Radzice – Line 573 - Idzikowice - CMK commenced on 13 March 2016
  • 520 8km south from Szczytno plus a 1.5km new line to the revamped Szymany [Olsztyn] Regional Airport opened on 21 January 2016
  • 160 The Bohumin - Chałupki cross border line reopened on 18 January 2016, delayed from the timetable change date by level crossing and signalling issues. Used by three pairs of ICs, two reversing in Bohumin, the third via the Bohumin avoiding curve but these IC's are reduced to just one pair via the avoiding curve from December 2016
  • 152 Chałupki via Wodzisław Śląski to Rybnik used by the above also reopened on 18 January 2016

With the new Timetable the following reopened on 13 December 2015

  • 115 Grebów – Sandomierz – Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski
  • 131 Stróze – Jaslo
  • 134 Zagorz - Komancza [1 train in FO, out SO, return pair SuO] Occasional services were timetabled from 1 August - 27 September 2015
  • 141 Local services resume on the Oswięcim – Skawina [– Kraków] line
  • 147 Cieszyn - Cesky Tesin [CD]
  • 175/180 Curve from Herby Nowe to podg Kalina [– Tarnowskie Gory]
  • 260 Cross border services between Zgorzelec and Gorlitz in Germany, previously withdrawn on 1 March 2015

Closures

  • 113 The two services from Tomaszów Mazowiecki towards Radom were withdrawn so the section from Tomaszów Mazowiecki to p odg Zapowiedz [incorrectly shown on Quail as p odg Anielin] is now only used by TLK's to/from the CMK, the section onwards to Drzewica now has no service
  • 114 There are no scheduled calls at Żakowice Płd by services to/from Koluszki after 15 October 2016 which meant no passenger service use of Line 535, the link from p odg Zielen to Koluszki
  • 137 Zywiec – Sucha Beskidzka
  • 166 Gliwice – Bytom [except for one TLK booked to use it between 15 February to 8 March 2016]
  • 322 The last scheduled TLK pair were withdrawn so no service between Wieluń Dąbrowa and Kępno after 15 October 2016
  • 431a Laskowice Pom. – Wierzchucin appears to have been completely bustituted from 5 June 2016
  • 530 Kuźnica Białostocka - Grodno [Belarus] but they resumed on 4 September 2016
  • 550 All local services withdrawn between Chełm and Dorohusk so only now used by the overnight Warszawa - Kiev pair
  • 602 Bednary – Łowicz Przedmieście Booked use ceased but some timetabled engineering work diversions during 2016,
  • 604 p.odg Czachówek Południowy/Czachówek Południowy - Góra Kalwaria was first partially, and then totally bustituted with last trains 15 October 2016. Some train services resumed on 11 December 2016, with more to follow on 13 March 2017

Older Changes

For details of older changes dating back to the year 2001 see Poland - Older General Information.

Special Notes

Overview

The funding of local services has transferred to Regional Authorities, most are now pro-Rail to the extent of paying for new stock and re-opening lines, but a few have reduced funding and service cuts occur when contracts are renegotiated.

The previously shown lengthy listing of lines which had at some point been flagged as note “G”, "trains run until further notice only" or listed in a September 2012 Consultants Report Commissioned by PKP recommending drastic service cuts has been moved to Poland - Older General Information. As passenger numbers have increased since then, closures nowadays are more likely to be related to Regions being unwilling to commit to large maintenance expenditure on low frequency lines so a realistic guide to those that may become threatened would be those listed in the linked Other sparse services section of EGTRE pages on Poland.

See also