Travellers usually await the new train timetable with concern, because they often learn on such occasions that further connections will be discontinued.
Warsaw only with a change
Bolesławiec will lose its direct connection with Warsaw. PKP Intercity is cancelling the Zgorzelec–Warsaw–Zgorzelec train service, explaining that there is little passenger interest in this connection.
The direct connection from Bolesławiec to Kraków and Przemyśl will be maintained. PKP Intercity will introduce a TLK train on the Jelenia Góra–Przemyśl route.
New carrier – Koleje Dolnośląskie
From Sunday, Koleje Dolnośląskie trains will appear in Bolesławiec. The company is owned by the marshal’s office. It was established two years ago to operate regional passenger services. Initially, KD’s offer at our station will be rather modest: one train to Legnica and Jelenia Góra, and one from Legnica to Bolesławiec. From 1 March 2010, Koleje Dolnośląskie will begin running to Zgorzelec.
Koleje Dolnośląskie honour tourist tickets, REGIO Passes and network tickets issued by Przewozy Regionalne, as well as Euro-Nysa ZVON tickets. This means that the most popular PR offers, including the Regio Card, are now valid on all regional trains operating in Lower Silesia.
TLK instead of express trains
Express trains are disappearing and will be replaced by TLK trains, or Tanie Linie Kolejowe. Several dozen trains that were previously express services will also operate as TLK trains. From 1 January, the new trains will have seat reservations, although these will be available only in first class and purchasing one will be optional. This entails a risk: if travelling first class without a reservation, we may have to give up our seat to someone who has purchased one. Until the end of December, reservations will not be available on most TLK trains; the dozen or so trains on which they will be mandatory are clearly marked in the timetable.
InterCity Express
A few express trains will remain in the new timetable, but after next year’s holiday season they will all be renamed EIC trains, the highest category, meaning Ekspres InterCity. Ultimately, they are intended to provide passengers with the highest level of travel comfort and the shortest journey times.
Regio, meaning passenger train
Passengers on local trains will also have to get used to changes. From Sunday, the popular passenger trains will be called Regio. There will no longer be a first class on them, and all seats that were previously first-class seats will be available at the second-class ticket price.
InterRegio
The list of renamed train categories will be completed by InterRegio trains—services operated by Przewozy Regionalne, usually using electric trains. They will provide travel on longer routes, with journey times competitive with TLK trains and at a slightly lower price. The lower fare will, however, mean somewhat poorer travel conditions.
RegioExpress
The popular Przewozy Regionalne express trains on the Dresden–Wrocław–Dresden route will operate under the RegioExpress brand from Sunday. Ticket prices will be the same as on InterRegio trains.
Some with names, others without
Express trains renamed TLK will lose their existing names, but many InterRegio trains introduced by Przewozy Regionalne will take over old names from TLK services. This will be the case with the IR train on the Legnica–Przemyśl route, which will receive the name “Ślązak” from an express train converted into a TLK service.
New prices
It is already known that single-ticket prices will change for the cheapest Regio trains and the interregional InterRegio trains operated by Przewozy Regionalne. These will mainly be increases of 7% to 20%, depending on the route length, although, for example, a journey of 21 to 25 kilometres will become cheaper. Monthly ticket prices will fall by between 1% and as much as 10%. A bicycle can be carried for PLN 5.
Prices for TLK, express and EIC train tickets will not change until after the New Year; for now, however, it is not known by how much.
New helpline numbers
The European Union has required railway operators to provide more information about train delays. The new nationwide PKP Intercity information number is 19757 (PLN 1.28 gross per minute).
Cheaper tickets from vending machines
This is a new offer for rail passengers. Przewozy Regionalne will gradually install ticket vending machines at railway stations. They will initially appear at larger stations. A ticket bought from a vending machine will be cheaper than one bought at the ticket office—the difference can be as much as 10%.
Mobile conductor
At last, the ordeal of passengers and railway staff having to write out tickets by hand on trains will end. Przewozy Regionalne conductors will gradually be equipped with electronic terminals that can be used to check the timetable and purchase tickets, paying as before with cash or payment cards.
Regio Card
This is a new discount card from Przewozy Regionalne, also accepted on Koleje Dolnośląskie trains. Passengers who purchase it receive a 30% discount on single tickets for Regio, InterRegio and RegioExpress trains, as well as a 15% discount on monthly tickets. It will be available in two versions: six-month (PLN 99) and annual (PLN 169).
New promotions
PKP Intercity is introducing a new system for identifying ticket offers on TLK trains. The distinguishing feature will now be colour. The company has announced, however, that these changes will not take effect until 1 January.
Purple Ticket: a so-called cheaper route ticket, valid on selected TLK routes. Ticket prices will fall, although such tickets will mainly be available in southern Poland.
Grey Ticket: for passengers travelling from 12 noon on Monday to 12 noon on Friday and buying standard tickets. The first ticket costs 100% of the price, while the return ticket is 20% cheaper.
Red Ticket: a monthly sale of tickets up to 60% cheaper than usual. Information about the number of tickets and the trains for which they are sold will be available on the PKP Intercity website on the 25th of each month.
Orange Ticket: after collecting 10 first-class TLK tickets, including reservations, a passenger receives a holiday voucher entitling them to travel first class on an InterCity train during the holiday season for PLN 1.
Green Ticket: special ticket prices for special occasions, such as matches or concerts.
Fuks offer: a PLN 20 ticket for any route on a TLK train. Ask for it at ticket offices.
(PKP Bolesławiec information / Krzysztof Gwizdała)