The Future of Public Transport in Poland: New Initiatives and Perspectives

Urban transportation in Poland is undergoing a significant revolution. This is driven by new technologies and innovative solutions. These aim to make life easier for passengers and make travel more comfortable. In this post, we will explore the development of modern solutions in Polish public transport over recent months. We will present a few innovations that are already transforming public travel in Poland. We will also look ahead to what the near future might hold.

Enhanced Travel Comfort: Graphic Seat Reservation

One of the newest amenities significantly impacting the comfort of traveling on PKP Intercity trains is the introduction of graphic seat reservations in 2023. This feature is available both on the website and in the Koleo mobile app. Passengers can easily and intuitively select seats by viewing a graphical layout of the carriages. This solution is already familiar in other modes of transport, such as airplanes and buses. It allows for precise seat selection, eliminating the need for random or inaccurate seat choices. This is a significant step forward in enhancing customer satisfaction, which also simplifies the ticket purchasing process. This service is available through PKP Intercity’s system and on the Koleo website. From March 2024, it is also available through the mobile app. We look forward to more applications and carriers offering similar services!


Train seating plan for EIC 49 from Poznan GL to Warszawa CEN, showing an overhead view of six wagons with available and reserved seats. The departure time is 16:42 and the arrival time is 19:42 on 2023-02-15. The diagram includes green seats (available), gray seats (unavailable), and orange seats (reserved). It also shows locations for bicycles and luggage storage, as well as restroom facilities

Conductor in Your Pocket: Self-Check-In on Polish Trains

Another innovation that may soon be offered by PKP Intercity is the possibility of self-check-in on the train via a mobile app. This “self-check-in” feature allows passengers to mark their presence on the train without interacting with the conductor. This not only speeds up the ticket control process but also increases the comfort of travelers, who no longer need to be interrupted from reading a book or watching a movie by the traditional “tickets please.” The PKP Intercity app is also set to be enhanced with additional features, such as the ability to communicate and report issues to the conductors’ team or view PKP IC trains on a map.

Green Revolution: Hydrogen and Electric Buses on Polish Roads

Polish company Solaris continues to strengthen its position in the European public transport market, delivering successive batches of hydrogen buses to cities seeking to modernize their fleets and make them more environmentally friendly. In 2023, electric, hydrogen, hybrid, and trolleybuses accounted for over 80% of Solaris’s total sales, reflecting the market’s growing interest in eco-friendly transport solutions. This trend is expected to grow, driven by actions from the European Council and Parliament aiming for all new buses in the EU to be zero-emission by 2030. Hydrogen propulsion, alongside electric, is one way to reduce emissions to practically zero. Interest in hydrogen-powered vehicles is growing in Poland, with cities like Poznań and Rybnik actively exploring the use of this type of zero-emission transport. Rybnik is already testing its first hydrogen buses, signaling increasing ecological awareness and a commitment to sustainable urban development. Besides Solaris, other Polish manufacturers such as Autosan, Arthur Bus, Pilea, and Nesobus also offer hydrogen buses. Additionally, electric buses are becoming more common on Polish roads, with over 1,226 “electrics” operating by the end of 2023

A modern Polish hydrogen-powered bus, featuring a sleek black design with colorful branding. The bus has a digital display reading "POLSKI AUTOBUS NA WODÓR" and text on the side promoting its environmental benefits, including phrases like "Nie emituje spalin" (Does not emit exhaust) and "Oczyszczam powietrze" (I clean the air). The bus is equipped with accessible features, including a ramp for wheelchairs, and emphasizes quick refueling and a range of approximately 450 km.  Przyszłość Transport Publiczny Innowacje

Transport of the Future: Moving Towards Autonomous Vehicles

Initiatives testing a completely new concept of urban transport – autonomous vehicles – are also emerging on Polish roads and tracks. In November 2023, Katowice, in collaboration with BLEES, began testing the autonomous bus BB-1, capable of navigating designated routes independently. This vehicle, equipped with advanced technologies for autonomous driving, is being tested under real urban conditions, demonstrating the ambitious innovation goals of Polish cities. Autonomous vehicles could significantly transform the urban transportation landscape in the future, making it more flexible, safe, and accessible to a wide range of users. Polish cities are following the example of cities like Paris, where three metro lines are already automated. Testing cutting-edge technologies like those in Katowice is an important step toward understanding and adapting to technologies that could revolutionize how we move around cities.

Autonomous electric shuttle bus in a green and black design, with "Katowice" branding on its side, driving through a leafy park area. The bus has a digital display indicating its route, and features large windows and a sleek, modern aesthetic. Passengers can be seen through the windows. Przyszłość Transport Publiczny Innowacje

Conclusion

Innovations in Poland’s urban transportation sector are a testament to the dynamic evolution of public transport. They leverage modern technologies to enhance passenger services. In our country, we observe initiatives that improve travel comfort and respond to society’s growing expectations. These initiatives also address the demand for eco-friendly solutions for daily use. As development continues and more innovations are implemented, we can predict significant changes. Urban transport in Poland will become more convenient and more integrated into the daily lives of users. It will support sustainable development to an even greater extent.

Mateusz Florczak
Innovation Manager
INNOVATIKA
He has co-founded new start-ups in the fitness and e-grocery categories, and also has experience in industries such as banking and insurance. He supports clients in choosing the right product development strategies and helps them make important product development decisions.

Sources

Now everyone can buy tickets conveniently. PKP Intercity has implemented a new feature everywhere
https://spidersweb.pl/2023/12/intercity-graficzna-rezerwacja-miejsc-pociagi.html
Koleo has made a gift to passengers. Buying tickets could not be more convenient
https://spidersweb.pl/2024/03/koleo-graficzna-rezerwacja-miejsc-aplikacja.html
Electromobility counter: Polish e-mobility market on the rise in Q1 2024
https://www.pzpm.org.pl/pl/Rynek-motoryzacyjny/Licznik-elektromobilnosci/Marzec-2024