PASSENGER TRANSPORT
In October 2021 the number of rail passengers amounted to almost 27 m. It is the highest result since February 2020, when 27.54 m passengers travelled by rail. When compared to October 2020 it is an increase by over 8.43 m passengers (+45.5%). The transport performance amounted to 1.6 bn pass-km (+64%) and the operational performance reached 15.09 m train-km (+3%). The average distance travelled by one passenger was 60 km, which is 6.9 km more than in October 2020 (+13%).
In October 2.11 m more passengers travelled by rail (+8.5%) than in September 2021. The transport performance rose by 34.15 m pass-km (+2%) and the operational performance increased by 540 thous. train-km (+4%). The average distance travelled by one passenger was 3.7 km shorter than in September 2021.
The demand in passenger transport is gradually increasing. October has been the best month during this year so far and the best month since the outbreak of the epidemic in Poland in March 2020. These results mean that over 870 thous. people travelled by rail every day. October is also the beginning of the academic year. An increase in interest in rail services can be attributed to, inter alia, return of students to full-time classes after a year of remote education - comments Ignacy Góra, President of the Office of Rail Transport.
When we compare October results with the period before the outbreak of the pandemic, then the number of rail passengers in October 2021 is 86% of the number of passengers in October 2019. The transport performance is 86% of the value in October 2019 and the operational performance is 3% higher than in 2019. The average distance travelled by one passenger in October 2021 is similar to the value reached in October 2019.
Detailed data on rail passenger transport are available at www.dane.utk.gov.pl
RAIL FREIGHT
The weight of goods transported in October 2021 increased year on year by 1.3 m tonnes (6.1%) and amounted to 22 m tonnes. The transport performance reached 5.2 bn tonne-km, which is an increase by 0.3 bn tonne-km (5.8%) when compared to 2020. The operational performance was 7.4 m train-km, which is an increase by 0.2 m (2.2%). The average transport distance of one tonne remained at the same level and was 235 km.
When compared to September 2021, the basic parameters in rail freight were also better. In October 2021 the weight of transported goods rose by almost 1 m tonnes (4.7%), the transport performance increased by 0.2 bn tonne-km (4.8%) and operational performance rose by 0.3 m train-km (4.7%). The average transport distance of one tonne was 1 km longer than in September.
The role of rail freight is increasing. The operational data are the best since October 2018. Despite the drop in share of fossil fuels in rail transport, the market is adapting well to the changing circumstances and looking for opportunities in transport of goods from other sectors. Along with the growing needs, access to loading facilities and capacity must increase, otherwise it might adversely affect time and prices in transport - emphasizes Ignacy Góra, President of the Office of Rail Transport.
In October 2021 the weight of transported goods and the transport performance were also higher than in 2019. The weight of goods increased by 2.8% and transport performance rose by 2.9%. The operational performance decreased by 0.8%.
Detailed data on rail freight are available at www.dane.utk.gov.pl