The issue of launching a direct rail connection from Poland to Croatia is expected to be resolved by the end of May, announced the Minister of Infrastructure, Dariusz Klimczak.
“Negotiations regarding the launch of the connection to Croatia are still ongoing. I hope to receive an answer in the coming days. (…) Our team is working on it, which includes representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure and PKP Intercity,” stated the head of the ministry.
The initiation of such a connection requires international agreements and, as the minister indicated, foreign partners initially consented to the launch of such a route either starting next year or possibly from December of this year.
“Our ambassador in Austria has also conducted a personal conversation. The key lies in obtaining consent not only from the Austrians but also from the Slovenians. (…) We need to have clarity by the end of May, as I have submitted a request to launch this connection starting July 1,” Klimczak added.
In early April, PKP Intercity reported that it is ready to commence a direct connection between Poland and Croatia; however, this will depend on the approval of the countries through which the train would pass—that is, negotiations with partners in the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia.
PKP Intercity is the largest Polish railway operator, providing connections between major cities and popular tourist destinations within the country, as well as enabling travel across Europe. In the past year, PKP Intercity trains transported 78.5 million passengers, which represents a 15% increase compared to the previous year and a 33% increase compared to 2022.
The company offers travel through four categories of trains. Twoje Linie Kolejowe (TLK) and InterCity (IC) are economical options, while Express InterCity (EIC) and the Express InterCity Premium (EIP), served by Pendolino trains, provide express services.
The operator estimates that this year it will increase the number of passengers transported to 88 million, and by the year 2030, to 110 million.