POLAND: Czech open access operator RegioJet has been selling tickets for an inaugural pair of Warszawa – Kraków services launching on September 18, while 50% RENFE-owned operator Leo Express announced plans to extend its Praha – Kraków sevice to Warszawa next March.
This follows a decision by Polish rail regulator UTK to grant approval for open access services on key domestic routes.
RegioJet launch
On September 18 RegioJet is due to launch a daily pair of services on the Warszawa – Kraków route.
The inaugural train is scheduled to leave Kraków Główny at 08.49 and arrive at Warszawa Wschodnia at 12.21, returning at 14.33 and arriving back at Kraków Główny at 18.06. Trains are to run via the CMK fast line, and will call only at Zawiercie between the two cities.
Services are to be hauled by RegioJet’s Alstom Traxx locos and have four classes (Low-cost, Standard, Relax and Business).
RegioJet has been operating a cross-border Praha – Kraków – Przemyśl route since March 1 2022, but it aims to significantly expand its offering.
The operator had previously submitted several applications for the operation of domestic and international open access routes in Poland, some of which were rejected by UTK, as it deemed these would negatively impact existing PSO services operated by incumbent PKP Intercity on the same routes.
More routes from December
With the December 14 timetable change, RegioJet intends to add another pair of trains to its Warszawa – Kraków service, and it plans to increase the offer further from April 1 2026 depending on the success of the initial launch.
From December 14 it plans to:
- launch Warszawa – Poznań services;
- extend the Kraków – Warszawa route to Gdańsk and Gdynia;
- launch Warszawa – Katowice – Gliwice – Ostrava – Praha/Wien international trains.
RegioJet has also said it will recruit and train 300 new employees in Poland between now and April 2026, including train drivers and managers, stewards, dispatchers, and other administrative personnel.
Leo Express plans
Meanwhile, Leo Express announced in late August the start of ticket sales for its Warszawa – Kraków route, with promotional fares available at €2.
It will effectively be an extension of the company’s existing Praha – Ostrava – Kraków service, and the extra trains will begin from March 1 2026.
Last November, UTK approved a five-year access agreement for the operator to run up to five pairs of trains on the Warszawa – Kraków route.
These will be worked by the operator’s existing fleet of five-car 160 km/h Stadler Flirt EMUs. They will offer four classes (Economy, Economy Plus, Business and Premium).
From the December 14 timetable change, Leo Express says it will offer a daily train between Praha and Kraków, which will be boosted on selected days with an additional return journey.
From March 2026, Leo Express plans to run four Praha – Kraków trains a day, with two of these extended to Warszawa.
Departures from Warszawa Wschodnia from March 1 are planned at 07.21 and 22.41 with arrival at Kraków Główny at 10.13 and 01.41. On the return leg, trains are scheduled to depart from Kraków at 03.44 and 18.48, arriving at Warszawa Wschodnia at 06.15 and 21.43. Trains are planned to run via the CMK axis, calling at two intermediate stations at Opoczno Południe and Włoszczowa Północ.
Talgo trains leased
Spanish national operator RENFE has agreed to lease three Talgo VI tilting push-pull trainsets to Leo Express. The 200 km/h vehicles were built in the late 1980s and refurbished in 2019-20.
The first sets have arrived at the Velim test centre on August 11 to undergo test runs for certification. Leo Express is to use them to expand its offering across central and eastern Europe, but it has not yet specified the routes on which the trains would be deployed.
