335.4 million of transported passengers means a rise by more than 8% comparing year to year results. The biggest number of passengers, almost 88.9 million, chose last year the services of Przewozy Regionalne, which in 2019 changed their trademark to POLREGIO. Second place was taken by Koleje Mazowiecie with 62.1 million passengers and the third place - by PKP Intercity, another long-distance carrier - with 48.9 million.
- The length of railway travels performed by passengers amounted to more than 22 billion kilometres. Most of these travels could probably take place by private cars - explains Mr. Ignacy Góra, Sc. D., President of the Office of Rail Transport (Pol. Urząd Transportu Kolejowego, UTK). - However, these cars did not take to the streets, did not travel those billions of kilometres. Thanks to that travelling became safer and more sustainable. These days railways act as a perfect means of agglomeration and urban transport, and is also eagerly chosen for long-distance holiday or business travel purposes - sums up Mr. Góra.
Number of passengers (in millions) - 2010-2019
In 2019 almost all carriers, providing regular passenger services, witnessed a rise in the number of passengers in comparison to the previous year. POLREGIO trains transported by 7.7 million (9.4%) more passengers than in 2018, and PKP Intercity - by 2.7 million (6%) more. Last year considerable rise of the passenger number was also noted by local (self-government) carriers: at Koleje Śląskie - by 3.5 million, at SKM Warszawa - by 2.6 million, at Koleje Mazowieckie and Koleje Dolnośląskie - by 2.4 million, at Łódzka Kolej Aglomaracyjna - by 1.3 million and at Koleje Wielkopolskie - by 1.2 million. When it comes to the percentage rise, Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna took the first place (27-percent rise), followed by Koleje Śląskie and Koleje Dolnośląskie - each with a 20-percent rise.
Freight carriers transported more than 236 million tonnes of goods in 2019 - almost 14 million tonnes less than in 2018. PKP Cargo was the leader of such services, scoring more than 40% of the market's share with regard to weight and almost 44% of operational service. One should however notice the rising performance level of smaller-size carriers. In 2019 those with a market share of 1% or less transported 13% of the total mass of transpoited goods.
- One can observe every year the rising level of intermodal freight transfers. This kind of transport is the future and should be developed - informs Mr. Góra. - Thanks to such mode of transport automotive, sea and railway transport can be optimally used - adds Mr. Góra.
Tonnage (million tonnes) of goods in railway freight transport - 2010 – 2019
Detailed information and numbers with regard to railway transport services can be found in the passenger and freight statistics sections at UTK's website.
Full data on the transport statistics will be published in the yearly report on the Polish railway transport market in 2019, to be made available at the end of July 2020.
One can also read a commentary by the President of UTK on the summary of the passenger and freight railway services, performed in Poland in 2019 (Polish version only).