Czech rail operator RegioJet will cease domestic operations in Poland on May 3rd, citing infrastructure blockades, price manipulation, and a lack of fair market access.
RegioJet Withdraws from Polish Domestic Market
RegioJet will end its domestic services in Poland on May 3rd, attributing its decision to unfavorable market conditions. The company claims infrastructure blocking, sales restrictions, and predatory pricing threaten its financial stability in the Czech Republic.
RegioJet states it is prepared to return to the Polish market if conditions improve, ensuring a genuinely open and transparent environment for all operators.
International Routes to Continue
International connections between Przemyśl, Kraków, and Prague, as well as Warsaw and Prague, will remain operational.
Founder Calls Polish Rail Market “Hell”
Radim Jančura, founder of RegioJet, described the Polish rail market as “hell” in an interview with Euro.cz, expressing frustration with bureaucratic hurdles encountered while attempting to launch new services in Poland in September 2025.
Despite passenger numbers, Jančura believes Polish regulations and institutional resistance pose an insurmountable barrier for private operators.
RegioJet Details Challenges and Lack of Subsidies
RegioJet’s statement highlights the challenges faced, including infrastructure blocking, sales limitations, and aggressive pricing strategies. The company points out that PKP Intercity receives substantial subsidies—approximately 90% of its connections are state-funded—while RegioJet received no financial support.
Furthermore, RegioJet notes the absence of a compensation agreement for statutory discounts for social groups, which it had been covering from its own funds.
Cancellation and Refund Details
Domestic services between Kraków, Warsaw, Gdynia, and Poznań, Warsaw will be terminated on May 3, 2026. Passengers will be notified via SMS or email and receive full refunds by April 15th, using the original payment method.
A form will be available on the website for passengers to claim an additional 100 zł compensation as an apology, intended to offset potentially higher ticket prices on PKP Intercity trains.
Jančura Apologizes to Passengers
Radim Jančura expressed his regret to passengers, stating he could not jeopardize the future of the company he founded. He remains hopeful for a return to the Polish market under more favorable conditions.
Hope for Market Liberalization
RegioJet expresses hope for the opening of the Polish market, including the subsidized transport segment, and the implementation of a transparent tender schedule with multiple operators competing on price and quality.
The company believes a three-year timeframe for acquiring modern rolling stock is necessary, mirroring successful models in the Czech Republic and Germany.
RegioJet’s Innovations and Investment Plans
RegioJet emphasized its introduction of new customer service standards to the Polish market, including automatic compensation for delays and a 100 zł payout for cancellations. The company remains financially strong and is investing in new rolling stock for subsidized lines in the Czech Republic, including 75 new low-floor units, some in collaboration with Pesa Bydgoszcz.
RegioJet is prepared to invest billions of złoty in the Polish market in the future.
Criticism of Market Conditions and Regulation
Despite the European Union’s opening of the non-subsidized rail transport market in 2010, RegioJet believes Poland lacks standard competitive conditions. The company criticizes the lack of independent regulators to protect new entrants from dominant state-owned entities and infrastructure managers.
RegioJet’s Entry into the Polish Market
RegioJet entered the Polish market on September 18th of the previous year, launching trains on the Kraków-Warsaw route.
Company Overview
RegioJet is the largest fully private passenger rail operator in Central Europe.