PKP Intercity takes over RegioJet connections. The Czechs are talking about eliminating competition
PKP Intercity launched three new connections on the Warsaw-Kraków route, which were originally intended to serve RegioJet trains. As reported by forsal.pl, this decision was made after the Czech company failed to launch all planned courses.
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A few days before the entry into force of the new timetable, effective from December 14, RegioJet announced that some of the planned trains will not run on the tracks. As a result, the Office of Rail Transport initiated proceedings, but the consequences for the Czech carrier turned out to be much more serious – it lost the slots it had previously granted to operate routes.
The situation was quickly taken advantage of by Polish PKP Intercity
New PKP Intercity connections. Promotional ticket prices
PKP Intercity took over slots unused by RegioJet on one of the most profitable routes in the country. Consent to such action was given by the infrastructure manager, i.e. PKP PLK.
From January 5, passengers, according to forsal.pl, can use three additional trips on fast Pendolino trains, which cover the Warsaw – Kraków route in just two and a half hours. Additionally, the carrier has introduced an attractive promotion – ticket prices for new connections start from PLN 29.
Read also: “Blamage” on the tracks. The specter of a big fine for a Czech company
Janusz Malinowski, president of PKP Intercity, emphasized that ““As previously announced, passengers will have the opportunity to travel on the Warsaw-Kraków route during the hours when trains canceled by the private carrier were originally scheduled to run.”.
The Czechs are not giving up their weapons. RegioJet accuses PKP Intercity of “trying to force the competition out of the market”
In response to these actions In its statement, the Czech RegioJet accused PKP Intercity of abusing its dominant position and attempting to eliminate a new competitor from the market.. The company informs that it is considering referring the case to the antitrust office, claiming that the actions of the Polish carrier are inconsistent with national and EU law.
Radim Jančura, the owner of RegioJet, told forsal.pl that “in his opinion, the goal of PKP Intercity is not only to achieve economic benefits, but to block capacity for the first real competitor on the market.”
Read also: Competition on the railways in Poland is growing. The Czech carrier opens new connections
According to him, PKP Intercity did not lose any capacity with the entry of RegioJet, and he considered the sudden request to take over connections as a “clear signal of hostile actions”.
RegioJet lost its slots at the last minute
According to the Czech carrier, the decision to take away the slots was made just before the planned launch of new connections on the Warsaw-Kraków route on January 5. This concerned the Kraków Główny – Warszawa Centralna (departure at 9:52) and Warszawa Centralna – Kraków Główny (departure at 15:40) routes. RegioJet claims that it received the ban to start operations at the last minute.
A similar situation occurred in the case of connections that were to start on January 19. These are afternoon trips Kraków – Warsaw (departure at 2:57 p.m.) and Warsaw – Kraków (departure at 7:46 p.m.). It is worth noting that three of the four connections mentioned are currently operated by PKP Intercity.
Read also: The Office of Rail Transport threatens the Czech carrier. Goodbye, competition on the Polish railway?
Radim Jančura emphasized that receiving four key calls until June 2026 is a serious problem for the company. According to him, these are the most important courses from the point of view of operational economics, and their absence will significantly hamper achieving a positive financial result. He also expressed hope that RegioJet connections will be restored by June at the latest.
