Poland - General Information: Difference between revisions

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* It had been suggested a Summer only cross border service from Poprad/Kosice in Slovakia may re-open the line from Plavec to Muszyna in 2018 but this did not occur.   
* It had been suggested a Summer only cross border service from Poprad/Kosice in Slovakia may re-open the line from Plavec to Muszyna in 2018 but this did not occur.   
* EU Funding was agreed in March 2018 for the Zachodniopomorskie province proposal to develop suburban services around Szczecin including re-opening of the 26km line 406 to Police
* EU Funding was agreed in March 2018 for the Zachodniopomorskie province proposal to develop suburban services around Szczecin including re-opening of the 26km line 406 to Police
* the 20 km Śrem – Czempiń line south of Poznań may reopen as a cost-benefit analysis has been completed confirming the works are eligible for central government financing. Preparatory works could be completed in 2021.
* Warszawa Główną, the Terminal station closed twenty years ago and then occupied by the National Railway Museum is to be re-opened. A design and build contract was let in early 2018. No timescale was given in the report and the National Railway Museum is to be relocated.  
* Warszawa Główną, the Terminal station closed twenty years ago and then occupied by the National Railway Museum is to be re-opened. A design and build contract was let in early 2018. No timescale was given in the report and the National Railway Museum is to be relocated.  
* 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 the Wierzchucin – Tuchola – Chojnice, Czersk – Chojnice, and Lipowa Tucholska - Szlachta – Czersk – Bąk routes.
* 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 the Wierzchucin – Tuchola – Chojnice, Czersk – Chojnice, and Lipowa Tucholska - Szlachta – Czersk – Bąk routes.
   
   

Revision as of 19:26, 23 February 2019

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

Downloadable Timetable

The full set of PDFs can be downloaded both for the reduced current timetable period or full year by selecting the required date option. It should be noted that PDFs for the current timetable period up to 09 March 2019 are being re-issued on a weekly basis. From March 2018 a link is available in English on the the PKP website portalpasazera.pl website

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.

For individual TT's either enter into Search by Station or a Table number [Note: some have altered] in section Search by Table. Lists [if appropriate] will be displayed and below this in separate boxes, the Destinations served. Then click on the chevron to the left of the Table number for a listing by date as PKP now make available PDFs for the whole or current part of the TT year, usually at least four separate issues within the year.

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 for 2018 are accessed by Country and not just one PDF file

Local Services: PolRegio. This link leads to a large scale map of lines with the Regions superimposed on it. Once obtained enter select the Region name from the drop down box for Links to 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.

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 (1 July 2016) ISBN 978-0-9955070-1-2
  • 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.

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.

Network Statement

2018/19 and 2019/20

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.

The Semaforek website has a useful table of distances by line number (not table number). Enter the line number in the 'szukaj' box at the top right and click the search button.

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 was operated on SSuX [except school holidays] by a private Company SKPL, [Stowarzyszenie Kolejowych Przewozów Lokalnych] until 7 December 2012. The branch is actually dual gauge and Standard gauge freight traffic continued, but even so it was a surprise that SKPL resumed a passenger service on 4 May 2015 which appears to have been a success as it continues with 10 pairs daily in 2019! SKPL. Note that SKPL acquired standard gauge BzMot's which took over running the service from February 2017 until that summer when they were required elsewhere with the NG Railcar in regular use again. Germany Society IBSE reported the service will no longer be worked by NG Units and a June 2018 traveller was by BzMot.

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. Two extensions opened in 2008, from Marymont to Słodowiec on 23 April, and onwards to Młociny on 27 October so Line 1 is now 23km long. The first seven station section of East - West Line 2 from Rondo Daszyńskiego [passing under the Vistula river between Powiśle and Stadion stations] to Dworzec Wileński opened on 8 March 2015. Their on-line map shows plans to extend Line 2 at both ends with two branches on the east-side of the city.

Trams

Bydgoszcz, Częstochowa, Elbląg, Gdańsk, Gorzów, Grudziądz, Katowice area [no longer including Gliwice as this part of the system closed on 31 August 2009], Kraków, Łódź, 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

  • the 27km line 52 from Lewki - Hajnowka reopened to freight in 2018, and a weekend only passenger services is planned from 9 June 2019. Old maps show a triangle at the Lewki end but only the curve to/from Bialystok is reinstated.
  • 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.
  • In August 2018 the European Commission announced a funding contribution to the 7km Y-shaped underground route from Łódź Fabryczna via the new station at Łódź Centrum to Łódź Kaliska and Żabieniec. Completed is now planned in January 2022.
  • It is suggested Wągrowiec to Rogoźno may reopen in 2019 as apparently passenger use of the direct line to Poznan has doubled since the recent refurbishment and it has no additional capacity at present.
  • when Kościerzyna to Gdynia is closed for up to three years for doubling and electrification from Spring 2020, it has been proposed but not yet agreed that the freight-only line from podg Glincz to Gdańsk Kokoszki and a rebuilt 1.7 km section to Gdańsk Kiełpinek is used for an alternative service to/from Kartuzy. Ideally the local Voivodship would like this reopening extended to Gdańsk Wrszeszc.
  • Rail Baltica
    • The decision on which route from Białystok is to be upgraded appears to have been taken as in January 2018 PKP PLK awarded contracts for (1) detail design planning for the complete renewal as a double track alignment of the line to Ełk by 2023 and (2) a feasibility study to upgrade Ełk to Suwałki and to the Lithuanian border. The latter is to include the reinstatement of the curve bypassing Olecko and relocation of Suwałki station; these will eliminate two reversals. On the latter, specifications are to be completed by the end of 2018, and an Implementing Decision adopted by the European Commission on 26 October 2018 stated construction is to commence in 2020 with completion by the end of 2025. Allegedly it is to be double track and electrified throughout.
    • Linked with this, works to refurbish Ostrołęka - Łapy for use by allegedly both passenger and freight trains when Czyżew - Białystok on the main line is closed for refurbishment were completed in Summer 2018. Press coverage also mentions diversions via Czeremcha.
  • The 1.6km Rejowiec avoiding curve (T554) has been reinstated and is in use, but not until 9 June 2019 by any passenger services. The Zawada avoider [1.9km] may also follow with modernization of the lines between Lublin and Zamość by 2020.
  • 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 to be by 2026.
  • It had been suggested a Summer only cross border service from Poprad/Kosice in Slovakia may re-open the line from Plavec to Muszyna in 2018 but this did not occur.
  • EU Funding was agreed in March 2018 for the Zachodniopomorskie province proposal to develop suburban services around Szczecin including re-opening of the 26km line 406 to Police
  • the 20 km Śrem – Czempiń line south of Poznań may reopen as a cost-benefit analysis has been completed confirming the works are eligible for central government financing. Preparatory works could be completed in 2021.
  • Warszawa Główną, the Terminal station closed twenty years ago and then occupied by the National Railway Museum is to be re-opened. A design and build contract was let in early 2018. No timescale was given in the report and the National Railway Museum is to be relocated.
  • 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 the Wierzchucin – Tuchola – Chojnice, Czersk – Chojnice, and Lipowa Tucholska - Szlachta – Czersk – Bąk routes.
  • PKP PLK in February 2018 awarded a contract for design work for electrification of Korsze – Ełk with associated track renewal.
  • In February 2018 Łódzkie voivodship awarded a contract to plan electrification of Tomaszów Mazowiecki – Opoczno.
  • From June 2017 Ukrainian citizens no longer need a Visa to visit the EU, so single pair daytime services were introduced then increased on existing cross border routes with suggestions others may reopen. These include via Rawa-Russka plus there have been test trains on some long closed lines such as Kroscienko - Chirów and Przemysl - Nizankowice - [Chirów] using a SKPL BzMot or Engineering vehicles respectively!
  • PKP PLK announced that the freight only line from Legnica via Lubin Górniczy to Rudna Gwizdanów is to be modernised and a passenger service introduced calling at 10 new intermediate stations by 2020. Kurier Kolejowy
  • The long discussed new curve (tables 100/109) from the CMK towards Kielce is moving forward, planned for completion by 2022.
  • 149 Gliwice - Zabrze Makoszowy - Leszczyny. The collapsed bridge over the river Bierawka at Szczygłowice has been repaired, primarily for freight. A one pair weekend only passenger service commenced on 9 December 2018.
  • Short Line operator SKPL, better known for running the Pleszew NG 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.
  • 381 Słupsk to Ustka. An agreement between PKP PLK and the Pomeranian Voivodship was signed on 28 February 2017 mentioning two new stops, Słupsk Strefa and Ustka Osiedle. The latter is one stop beyond Ustka on the former route to Sławno and closer to the Baltic coast. Timescale 2017-2020
  • 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: It was suggested the Tychy Lodowisko service may be extended 8 km to Bierun Stary to assist car plant workers with their commuting but this does not appear to have advanced in recent years.
  • 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 this will now be replaced by a ground level station close to the Airport.
  • There is a serious proposal to re-open and re-electrify line 28, the 3 km branch from Weiliszew to Zegrze, to be served by extension of the SKM service from Warsaw to Legionowo.
  • Rzeszów – Ocice (line 71) is to be electrified by 2020.
  • There are plans for a new 5km branch off the Rzeszów to Ocice line to serve Rzeszów-Jasionka airport.

Changes during the Timetable Period commencing 9 December 2018

  • 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 in use until 9 March
  • 200a The overnight pair via the Zduńska Wola East to North curve no longer run
  • 216 Wroclaw Nadodrze to Wroclaw Wojnow temporarily closed again. Reopening through to Jelcz is a possibility for 2019.
  • 320/340 A pair of Summer overnights avoid Poznan Glowny from Ostrow Wielkolpolski via but not calling at Jarocin and the JP maps them as using a very rare curve to run through Poznan Franowo and round the northern ring as far as the curve to/from 340 and Pila
  • 355 nothing shown using Rzepin avoiding line
  • 355/300 there are new Szczecin - Warsaw 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
  • 503 Olsztyn – Braniewo has no trains scheduled after 24 March 2019
  • 520 Szcztyno – Szymany Lotnisko is only timetabled until 30 March 2019.
  • 550a A Hruebieszow IC pair via the newly reinstated Rejowiec avoider from 9 June. EGTRE entry created
  • 551a With Warsaw – Lublin via Dęblin reopening to local trains on 10 March, the current diesel operated Lukow – Lublin winds down with some until 9 March, others until 8 June BUT two pairs continuing until 14 October, then nothing. If closes, Lukow – Parczew Kolejowa loses all services again.
  • 601 Żakowice Południowe – p.odg. Zieleń – Koluszki is back in use, one all year train plus a few others odd dates to March
  • 604 the one train via the curve from Czachówek Południowy towards Gora Kawaria is withdrawn. The train is re-instated in an amendment dated 01 February 2019.

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 Darlowo 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 Chelm 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 Klodawa] August 18 - June 19. There are diversions either via Gniezno, the Inowroclaw 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 Rzeszow 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 Wroclaw Nadodrze to Wroclaw 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 - Krakow pair.
  • 166 Bytom - Gliwice Reopening but just 1 pair of overnights
  • 200a/315 Zdunska Wola east to north curve and 315 to Inowroclaw 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 Wroclaw 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 Suwalki 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 Suwalki 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 Wodzislaw Slaski 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 Chelm and Dorohusk so only now used by the overnight Warszawa - Kiev pair
  • 602 Bednary – Lowicz Przedmiestie 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

Changes during the Timetable Period commencing 15 December 2014

  • 135 An 8.6km realignment to the north of Sucha Besidska between Stryszow – Zembrzyce opened with the old formation being required for a Reservoir opened 15 December 2014
  • 240/260/265 Engineering work to the west of Wrocław Głowny from 26 April 2015 resulted in numerous diversions via freight only tracks until 16 October 2015.
  • 442 The new service to Gdańsk Airport opened on 1 September 2015. This involved reinstatement of an old formation from Gdańsk Wrzeszcz plus a new flyover used by through services from Gdańsk Głowny and some terminating services together with new construction near the airport itself, continuing to a triangular junction at Rębiechowo with the Koscierzyna - Gdynia line.
  • 443: A service between Gdansk Wrzeszcz and Kartuzy via the Rebiechowo south curve and a 12km reopened section of line 229 commenced on 1 October 2015. There was also 1 pair of services via Sominino [reverse] SSuX in the PDF but this allegedly was cancelled before ever running
  • Kraków Balice [Airport] branch services (T142) recommenced on 28 September 2015 after being suspended since 1 February 2014 whilst the line was electrified. It was thought the branch was being extended 500m nearer the Terminal Building on an existing freight branch but in fact it is a new deviation before the previous station location to the new station behind the multi-storey car park across the road from the terminal building. In addition trains from Krakow Glowny after leaving Krakow Lobzow take an existing chord up to the Line 95 flyover over the Katowice main line to run parallel to the main line on the most southerly double then single track(s) up to the airport line junction. Trains to Krakow Glowny don't take this flyover but descend to Krakow Lobzow using a newly-built chord.


Re-openings

  • 134 Zagórz - Komańcza from 1 August - 27 September and Friday & weekend only services resumed from December 2015. There have been limited date services to Lupkow since in addition.
  • 114 The 8.5km branch from Tomaszów Mazowiecki to Spała had three pairs of Sunday only trains between 5 July and 30 August 2015. These were the first scheduled passenger services on the branch since 1988
  • 554 3.4km from the existing Zamość station to Zamość Wschod with an intermediate station at Zamość Starówka on the line to Hrubieszów re-opened on 14 June 2015
  • 317 A regular passenger service resumed on the Narrow Gauge Line from Pleszew PKP to Pleszew Miasto on 4 May 2015. Timetable at SKPL
  • 116/121 podg. Przeworsk Zach. – Przeworsk Gorliczyna (Short term summer use then engineering work diversions from 14 September until 16 October 2015)
  • 131 Jasło – Zagorz (upgrade finished)
  • 149 Oświęcim – Mysłowice (upgrade finished)
  • 203 Nowy Świętow – Głuchołazy Miasto [Weekends and Holidays]
  • 250 Lwowek Śl – Zebrzydowa [1 pair Weekends and Holidays]
  • 255 Węgliniec - Lubań Słąski

The PKP fleet of Pendelinos entered service on Premium IC services with this Timetable period. The Warsaw - Wroclaw service was amended to run via the CMK &

  • 100/109 Włoszczowa Płn. – Żelisławice and
  • 109/175 podg. Kucelinka – Częstochowa Stradom; (Częstochowa Stradom -) Lubliniec - Fosowskie (- Opole) after upgrading.
  • Arriva had planned to serve Nowy Dwór Gdanski again but an inspection found rails missing so no trains ran

Closures

All IR services were withdrawn after 31 August 2015 as uneconomic. For track coverage, only the Nedza avoiding curve between lines 154/160 and the direct line from Sumina - Rybnik would have lost all service but a new TLK service was introduced in its stead.

  • 109 Kielce avoider from an unknown date after use by the Westbound only "Vlatava"
  • former 136 (Chabówka -) Kasina Wielka - Marcinkowice (- Nowy Sącz): this line was used in summer 2016 by special trains of the Małopolskie Szlaki Turystyki Kolejowej. However, following an inspection by a PKP diagnostic train, the line was closed to traffic in September 2015. A consortium of interested parties hoped to reopen the line in 2016 and infrequent specials did indeed commence.
  • 166 Gliwice – Bytom [one pair of TLK's on one day a week resumed using this line in Summer 2015]
  • 173/315 podg. Wyczerpy – Chorzew Ziemkowice – podg. Borysławice (last train 15 November 2014)
  • 260 All Dresden - Wrocław services were withdrawn so no service cross border from Zgorzelec to Görlitz from 1 March 2015, subsequently resumed.
  • 315/430 Inowroclaw avoider [overnight use in Summer 2015 but nothing scheduled since]

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