– We knew that the launch of new connections would make this a record year – said Damian Stawikowski, president of Koleje Dolnośląskie. – A 20-percent increase is pleasing, but this success would not have been possible without the hard work of all Koleje Dolnośląskie employees.

More than 2.4 million additional passengers

Interestingly, the current increase in the number of Koleje Dolnośląskie passengers is greater than their total number in 2012, the fourth year of operations.

It was also the first year in the company’s history in which more than one million passengers used its services in every month. October was a record month, when Koleje Dolnośląskie carried nearly 1.4 million passengers. It was the best result in the eleven-year history of the Lower Silesian operator.

The growing number of passengers is also the result of optimizing the use of rolling stock. Thanks to efficient management and the planning of periodic inspections, the rolling stock carried out 5% more operating work than in previous years.

The success of new connections

– Such good results would not have been possible without excellent cooperation with the local government of Województwo Dolnośląskie, which is taking over and renovating successive railway lines. This was the case, among others, with the connection to Bielawa, where railway services returned after more than 40 years – Stawikowski added. – This gives us the opportunity to reach new passengers.

In 2019 alone, Koleje Dolnośląskie launched four new connections. In March, the Lower Silesian operator’s trains began running to Krotoszyn via Milicz. Connections to Lubin were launched in June. Meanwhile, with the December timetable, passengers gained access to direct trains to Bielawa and Głogów.

Thanks to the latter, after nearly 15 years, the entire Zagłębie Miedziowe, the second-largest urban area in Lower Silesia, was connected by passenger rail. The launch of the new connections provided 300,000 residents of Województwo Dolnośląskie with access to rail transport.

– We see enormous potential in developing the newly launched connections. Trains to Bielawa and Głogów appeared in the timetable only on December 15, so their impact on the company’s transport results will truly become apparent only this year – concluded Damian Stawikowski, president of Koleje Dolnośląskie.

What do you think? Do you use KD services? What is your opinion of this operator and the new connections? We invite you to join the discussion.