Discussion Panel: Opening the Long-Distance Rail Market in Poland as a Catalyst for Growth
The liberalisation of the long-distance rail market in Poland is becoming a reality. In this context, during this year’s TRAKO 2025 fair, a special discussion panel entitled “Opening the Long-Distance Rail Market in Poland as a Catalyst for Growth” will take place, dedicated to the challenges and opportunities related to this fundamental transformation in the railway sector.
Event details:
• Date: Thursday, 25 September 2025
• Time: 12:15 PM – 1:45 PM
• Venue: TRAKO Conference Centre | 1st floor, Room 1C
• Languages: Polish / English (simultaneous interpretation)
• Admission: Free
Poland on the verge of market opening
The panel will feature representatives of public institutions responsible for shaping the market, as well as operators and international experts with experience in functioning on liberalised markets.
The panel will be divided into two parts:
Part I: Institutions and the Market – Preparing Poland for Liberalisation
This part will feature representatives of key institutions involved in the market opening process, such as the Central Communication Port, Centre for EU Transport Projects, Ministry of Infrastructure, Office of Rail Transport, and PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe.
• Piotr Rachwalski – Member of the Management Board, Central Communication Port
• Joanna Lech – Director, Centre for EU Transport Projects
• Michał Gil – Member of the Management Board, Director of Operations, PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe
• Michał Jasiak – Director of Strategy Implementation and Railway Subprogram Planning, Central Communication Port
• Marcin Trela – Vice President, Office of Rail Transport
The debate will be moderated by Dr. Jakub Majewski – President of the ProKolej Foundation, Assistant Professor at the University of Warsaw.
Part II: Voice from Europe – Experiences from Liberalisation
The second part of the panel will focus on foreign experiences related to market opening and competition development, including examples from the Czech Republic, Spain, and Italy, and the best practices arising from them:
• Andrea Giuricin – Transport Economist, TRA Consulting, World Bank, University of Milan • Prof. Juan Montero – Florence School of Regulation, UNED Madrid (National University of Distance Education)
• Peter Köhler – CEO, Leo Express • Radim Jančura – CEO, RegioJet • Marek Rudzianiec – Deputy Director of Timetable Office, PKP Intercity
The debate will be moderated by Konrad Majszyk – Communications and Media Expert at the Central Communication Port.
Why attend?
The panel in Gdańsk will be a place for: • exchanging experiences with countries that have already undergone liberalisation, • discussing the best regulatory models and market practices, • reviewing the role of the state, operators, and investors in the market opening process, • seeking solutions that ensure fair competition, better quality, and accessibility of rail services.
We invite everyone interested in the future of rail transport in Poland. The panel is an excellent opportunity to exchange views and establish contacts with representatives of institutions and the market.