The Polish operator PolRegio plans to provide passenger transport services to the new airport developed by Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) as part of the Port Polska investment.
As a result, the two companies have signed an expanded partnership under which both parties aim to increase the number of services on the high-speed line currently under development, which will connect Warsaw to the new airport, as well as to Łódź, Wrocław, and Poznań. PolRegio is preparing a commercial offer that will combine the features of an express train, with speeds of up to 200 km/h between major metropolitan areas, with those of a regional service that stops in medium-sized cities. In this regard, Port Polska is supporting the operator by analyzing these service concepts.
CPK signed the first letter of intent with PolRegio in 2023, and the new document expands and deepens this cooperation.
PolRegio could become an operator within the ambitious Polish project
The companies will also explore options to provide PolRegio with commercial access to modern trains to be procured by Centralny Port Komunikacyjny as part of a shared rolling stock fleet. The procurement will include a total of 80 electric trainsets, including units with a maximum speed of 200 km/h. These can be used both for commercially operated services, without public subsidies, as well as for subsidized regional express services (Regio Express) and airport express services (Aero Express).
Port Polska and Poland’s largest operator, PolRegio, are collaborating to offer passengers the best possible service from the very first day of operation of the first high-speed rail sections. “We are not building this network just for major cities, but also to serve local communities,” said Piotr Rachwalski, a member of the CPK Board of Directors.
“The launch of services on the Warsaw–Łódź route, via the new airport, represents an important step in expanding our offering for passengers. Thanks to our cooperation with Port Polska, we have the opportunity to gain access to modern rolling stock, which will directly translate into increased travel comfort. This is not only a development opportunity for the company but also a real tool for combating transport exclusion,” said Andrzej Pawłowski, CEO of PolRegio.
Support for train operations
As part of the cooperation, PolRegio will provide support for the basic maintenance of the new trains purchased by Port Polska and will make its technical facilities and storage tracks available. The Polish operator will also contribute to organizing vehicle maintenance services.
“We operate one of the most extensive maintenance networks in Poland, with multiple service points nationwide, including facilities owned by regional authorities. Our rolling stock is maintained daily by PolRegio’s qualified and experienced staff. This capability allows us to provide high standards of service not only for our own fleet but also for vehicles belonging to external entities, such as Port Polska. “Importantly, Regio Express trains will be able to operate on both the ‘Y’ line and the existing network, enabling direct travel from smaller towns to major urban centers without the need to change trains,” says Wojciech Dinges, vice president of PolRegio.
The companies will also collaborate on developing a modern, integrated transportation system based on reliable data and the exchange of information regarding estimated passenger flows. A joint working group will be established for this purpose.
Express services to the airport
Aero Express services will become the main mode of transport between Łódź and Warsaw. By 2035, the number of passengers traveling between these cities is estimated to reach approximately 6.5 million—more than twice the current figure. Trains between Warsaw and Łódź will run every 30 minutes, and on the section between the capital and the airport, the frequency will increase to every 15 minutes. Analyses regarding the operating model for these services are currently underway.
In addition to stopping at the airport, the express trains will also stop in towns such as Brzeziny. By 2032, this town of approximately 12,000 residents, located near Łódź, will have access to the high-speed rail line via a station situated about 1.5 km from the town center. Residents will be able to reach Łódź Fabryczna in 17 minutes.
Regional Express Services
The planned regional express routes will serve a greater number of cities. Trains traveling at speeds of up to 200 km/h will stop in towns such as Nowe Miasto nad Wartą, Jarocin, and Pleszew, as well as in larger cities, including Sieradz, Kalisz, and Ostrów Wielkopolski. These services will be organized under public service obligations, with operators to be selected through competitive tenders. Regional authorities may act as organizers, and discussions regarding the details are ongoing.
A Fleet Available for Lease
PolRegio is interested in leasing high-speed trains from Port Polska’s rolling stock company under market conditions.
Port Polska is also open to similar collaborations with other operators interested in running passenger services on the new high-speed routes from Warsaw to Łódź, via the new airport, as well as to Wrocław and Poznań. The trains will be able to operate across the entire Polish rail network and internationally.
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