In 2025, Poland saw a remarkable resurgence in rail travel, with nearly 439 million passengers utilizing train services, which is the highest figure recorded in the last three decades, as highlighted by the Railway Transport Authority (UTK). This represented a 7.7% increase from the previous year, alongside a corresponding rise in transportation work by 7.8%, amounting to 30.7 billion passenger-kilometers traveled. On average, each resident of Poland took 11.7 train trips that year, the most since 1995 when the average stood at 12.1 trips.

The UTK president, Ignacy Góra, emphasized that rail has become a primary mode of daily mobility for many people, contributing to a stable public transportation system across the country, which remains dominant in passenger transport structures. Góra’s statements point to a considerable shift in public transportation habits, indicating that people are increasingly relying on trains for their daily commutes and travel needs.

Looking forward, the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure projects sustained growth in rail passengers, anticipating that transport operators will maintain a 7% annual increase, potentially reaching 500 million travelers by 2028. This optimism is further supported by the performance of long-distance carrier PKP Intercity, which has surpassed a 20% market share, exceeding the figures observed in other countries. This trend highlights a significant transformation in Poland’s transportation landscape, reinforcing the relevance of railways in the public transport ecosystem.