RegioJet Scales Back Initial Polish Timetable Ahead of December Change
Czech private operator RegioJet adjusted its expansion plans in Poland shortly before the introduction of the new December timetable, scaling back the number of services it had originally planned to launch. The changes were announced on Thursday, December 11, just three days before the new timetable came into force.
From Sunday, December 14, RegioJet reduced its planned Warsaw–Kraków offer from six to three daily pairs of trains. On the Gdynia–Kraków route, only one of the originally planned three pairs will now operate. In total, 1,080 services were withdrawn from the timetable, significantly reducing the number of seats RegioJet had intended to offer during the busy pre-Christmas period. State-owned operator PKP Intercity criticised the timing and scale of the decision, arguing that it created uncertainty for passengers who had already purchased tickets.
RegioJet has explained the reductions as a pragmatic operational decision. Owner Radim Jančura said the company is still in a trial phase on the Polish market and is facing a shortage of qualified staff, particularly train drivers. Rather than risk reliability issues, the operator opted to introduce services more gradually. Passengers affected by cancellations are being refunded, and RegioJet is also offering a PLN 100 credit as an apology.
The carrier plans to begin adding further services between Kraków, Warsaw and the Tri-City from mid-January, once staffing levels improve. RegioJet launched Polish operations in September and says more than 33,000 passengers have already travelled on its Warsaw–Kraków services. From the new timetable, it will also introduce a new international connection between Warsaw and Prague, expanding its presence in Central Europe.
