In an upcoming Thursday session, Warsaw city council will discuss a draft amendment to public‑transport order rules aimed at stopping passengers from placing bags on seats across buses, trams, and the metro.
Thursday Session to Review Draft Rules
During this week’s Thursday meeting, councilors will examine a proposal to update the rules governing behavior in Warsaw’s public transport network. The amendment is intended to address complaints about passengers placing bags or sleeping on seats.
Hunting Backpackers: Bags on Seats Gone Illegal
The draft would clarify the list of prohibited conduct, specifically targeting cases where passengers, instead of keeping luggage close to themselves, stack bags, backpacks or shopping items on neighboring seats, preventing others from using the space.
It also targets other disruptive actions such as lying across seats, occupying multiple seats, or propping legs on seats.
Penalties Remain Under Current Law
Violations will still be considered misdemeanours under Article 54 of the Polish Code of Offences, with fines up to 500 PLN or a warning. No new sanctions are introduced; the amendment merely adds behaviors that may trigger a fine.
Enforcement will rest with ticket inspectors and transport staff
Ticket librarians, traffic supervisors, metro crew, and, if necessary, police and fire‑rescue will enforce the rules. Current WTP regulations allow vehicle staff and security officers to issue orders to maintain safety and order, which passengers must comply with.
Demand on the Network Makes the Issue Urgent
In 2024, Warsaw’s public transport network served over 956 million passengers—about half a million more than the previous year—meaning hundreds of thousands travel daily on buses, trams, metros and regional trains. During peak hours, seat‑blocking by baggage or stretching over multiple seats hampers access for elderly, families, and disabled passengers.
Next Steps and Implementation
The draft will be sent to the relevant committees, mainly the Safety and Public Order Committee, for scrutiny. If approved, councilors will vote, and the effective date will be specified in the final resolution and published in the Masovian official gazette. Until then, the existing order and transport regulations remain in force.
