After three years of frozen infrastructure charges the average network rate will increase by 2.4% (from PLN 7.77 per train/km to PLN 7.96 per train/km). The level of traction component of the basic rate (sub-rate varying according to traction which is PLN 0.22 per train/km) and the mark-up (PLN 1.28 per train/km) will remain the same. The average rate for freight carriers will increase by 2.3% (from PLN 12.80 per train/km to PLN 13.09 per train/km).
In the new draft price list PKP PLK included in the costs which are directly incurred as a result of operating the train service the costs of access to platforms and costs of infrastructure enabling passengers to reach platforms. The new calculation comes as a result of the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 10 July 2019, Case C-210/18 WESTbahn Management GmbH v ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG. According to the Court’s judgement, the use of passenger platforms is covered by the minimum access package to railway infrastructure, as defined in point 1 of Annex II to Directive 2012/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on the establishment of a single European railway area, and it does not constitute a provision of a service in a service facility.
If an infrastructure manager takes into account the CJEU ruling, the increase of the network rate for passenger services will be more noticeable than in other segments, which attribute the increase of direct costs only to market conditions. The average network rate for passenger transport will increase by 8.7% (from PLN 6.10 per train/km to PLN 6.63 per train/km). The average unit rate of shunting fees will increase by 2.7% (from PLN 3.35 per train/km to PLN 3.44 per train/km).
The draft price list has been published on PKP PLK website. The new price list has been introduced as an amendment No. 1 to the Network Statement for 2021/2022 timetable.
The President of Office of Rail Transport verifies the correctness of establishment and collection of infrastructure charges by infrastructure managers. The draft pricelist submitted for approval by an infrastructure manager is verified on several points: the method of calculation of unit rate of basic and shunting fee and the calculation of applied sub-rates and coefficients. The President of the Office of Rail Transport may approve a draft price list or refuse to approve it.
Additional information on PKP PLK’s infrastructure charges you can find here:
PKP PLK’s draft price list you can find here (in Polish):