Czech rail operator RegioJet will cease most domestic services in Poland by May 3rd, citing infrastructure blockades, price manipulation, and lack of market access.
RegioJet’s Withdrawal from Poland
RegioJet will end its operations on the Polish domestic market on May 3rd, the company announced. It attributes its decision to the current situation on the Polish railway market, including infrastructure blocking, sales restrictions, and predatory pricing policies, which it claims threaten the economic stability of the RegioJet group in the Czech Republic.
The company states it is prepared to return to the Polish market when conditions become genuinely open and ensure fair and transparent conditions for all carriers.
International Routes to Continue
International connections between Przemyśl, Kraków, and Prague, as well as Warsaw and Prague, will continue to be operated, according to RegioJet.
Allegations Against PKP Intercity
RegioJet claims PKP Intercity benefits from a significant advantage due to approximately 90% of its connections being subsidized, with a non-public agreement with the ministry seeing subsidy levels increase annually. RegioJet received no subsidies and faced delays in securing compensation for statutory discounts for social groups, which it funded from its own resources.
Passenger Refunds and Compensation
Domestic services on the Kraków-Warsaw-Gdynia and Poznań-Warsaw routes will end on May 3, 2026. Passengers will be notified of cancellations after this date via SMS or email. Full refunds will be issued by April 15th using the original payment method.
Passengers can also fill out a form on the website to claim 100 zł as compensation for potential higher ticket prices on PKP Intercity trains.
Owner’s Statement
Radim Jančura, owner of RegioJet, expressed regret, stating he could not further jeopardize the future of the company he founded. He believes they can return to Poland under more favorable conditions.
Future Market Access
RegioJet hopes Poland will open the market in the subsidized transport segment, establishing a transparent tender schedule with multiple carriers competing on lowest subsidies and highest quality. This model is seen in the Czech Republic and Germany, leading to frequent connections even in smaller cities.
The company suggests carriers should have at least three years to acquire modern, low-floor units, given the limited availability of older rolling stock on the European market.
New Standards and Investment
RegioJet highlighted 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, currently ordering 75 new low-floor units, in cooperation with Pesa Bydgoszcz.
RegioJet is prepared to invest billions of złoty in the Polish market in the future.
Regulatory Concerns
Despite the European Union’s opening of the non-subsidized rail transport market in 2010, RegioJet believes Poland lacks standard competitive conditions. It criticizes the lack of independent regulators to protect new carriers from dominant state-owned entities and infrastructure managers.
Entry into the Polish Market
RegioJet entered the Polish market on September 18th of last year, launching trains on the Kraków-Warsaw route.
Company Overview
RegioJet is a Czech company and the largest fully private passenger rail operator in Central Europe.
