A new amendment to the public transport law in Poland has raised alarms within the transport sector, particularly regarding its potential impact on rail services. The amendment focuses on several key components related to road transportation, such as minimum service levels for bus routes, on-demand transport, digital schedules, and requirements for vehicles to have GPS tracking. These regulations aim to improve public access to transport but are feared to overlook the needs of the railway sector, which could see diminished support and accessibility as a result.

The Ministry of Infrastructure had released a draft amendment for public consultation last year, which largely maintained the existing framework for public transport while introducing new standards for bus services. However, a revised version of the amendment released at the end of February included an unexpected proposal to repeal Article 22a of the law. This article currently safeguards certain regulations that maintain distinctions between road and rail transport service agreements. The potential repeal of this article is worrying for those concerned about the future of regional passenger rail service agreements, which could lead to a more homogenized approach to public transport that favors road over rail.

Stakeholders in the transport sector are raising concerns over the implications of this proposed change. With significant investments needed in rail infrastructure and services, further sidelining of rail transport could result in inequities in public transport offerings across Poland. As public consultations are underway, it remains to be seen how the government will balance road and rail interests in the final version of the public transport law amendment, and whether it will heed the warnings of industry experts.