Action Schedule
The current framework agreement for providing public services related to domestic and international long-distance rail passenger transport, concluded between the Minister of Infrastructure and PKP Intercity S.A., will expire on the last day of the 2029/2030 annual timetable. This means that the new operators of domestic and international long-distance passenger services operating under public service obligation (PSO) must be selected through a tender process. These operators will commence operations from the 2030/2031 annual timetable. From the perspective of 2024 this may seem like a distant deadline, it is hardly the case. The tendering procedure for selecting the operator, as broadly outlined in the Act of December 16, 2010, on Public Transport and Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007, is in fact a multi-year process. Sufficient time must be allowed for the selected operator to acquire rolling stock and update the transport plan before starting the entire procedure.
Assuming December 2030 as the start of services under a new agreement between the Minister of Infrastructure and the selected operator, the milestones for the process in a reversed order are as follows:
- December 2030 – Start of service operations
- Q1 2029 (at the latest) – Signing of contracts with selected operators
- Q1 2027 – Announcement of tenders for operator selection
- Q1 2026 – Publication of the intention to conduct the procurement procedure
- Q1 2026 – Adoption of the transport plan effective from the 2030/2031 annual timetable by the Minister of Infrastructure
The interval between signing the contract and the start of services by the operator should be as long as possible. This period is essential for the operator to procure rolling stock if required by the tender conditions. New entities will need to organize themselves and achieve operational readiness, such as obtaining legally required documents (carrier licenses, safety certificates, vehicle maintenance documentation), recruiting and training personnel, and arranging access to technical facilities.
The timeline below graphically represents the process leading to the launch of services in December 2030:
Review Plan
In order to achieve stability and build credibility for the adopted solutions, a comprehensive reviewing process for the Horizontal Timetable (HRJ) will be conducted. The review will be divided into two groups:
- Industry Consultations: Targeted at key stakeholders currently involved or potentially involved in the transport market.
- Public Consultations: Open to any interested individuals or legal entities.
Industry Consultations will address:
- Coordinating the long-distance services proposed for the Horizontal Timetable with regional and suburban rail services will involve consultations with relevant transport authorities, including the 16 regional authorities (Marshal Offices), the Warsaw Public Transport Authority, and the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis.
- The principles for organizing the market from 2030 onwards and the structure of the long-distance services proposed for the Horizontal Timetable (particularly concerning connections that may be operated on commercial terms) will involve consultations with current and potential train operators, including foreign entities. More information on this consultation process can be found in the Consultations with Potential Operators section.
- Coordinating international connections proposed for the Horizontal Timetable to ensure consistent assumptions and routes for international trains will involve consultations with relevant foreign entities, including appropriate ministries, infrastructure managers, and train operators, depending on each country’s organizational model.
Polish residents, expert organizations, industry representatives, and the scientific and technical community will be invited to participate in the public consultations. The dates will be announced shortly in the Public Consultations section.
Consultations with Potential Operators
One method of public review envisaged for the Horizontal Timetable is industry consultations. Both current market operators and new entities looking to enter the Polish market are invited to participate. The consultations will cover:
- New market organization rules for public service obligation (PSO) trains in domestic and international long-distance transport segments, as well as for commercial trains planned to be launched from December 2030
- Solutions for capacity allocation and train scheduling arrangements
- Assessing the feasibility of operating selected services commercially instead of under public service obligations (PSO)
The idea is for the planned solutions to be developed jointly with the rail market participants. Analytical data based on traffic forecasts will be made provided during the consultation process.
Current and potential rail operators (legal entities) were invited to participate in this phase of the consultation. In total, submissions were received from more than 20 applicants. The HRJ team will hold workshop meetings with them in the following months. The planned completion of this phase is Q1 2025.
Information about Horizontal Timetable review process can be found in the Consultation Plan section.
Public Consultations
One method of public review envisaged for the Horizontal Timetable is public consultations open to Polish residents, expert organizations, industry representatives, and the scientific and technical community. Consultation dates will be announced soon. Meanwhile, we invite you to review the materials in the Products and Reports section.