PASSENGER TRANSPORT
In July 2021 over 23.5 m people travelled by rail, which is an increase by 24.5% when compared to July 2020. Other operational data in passenger transport also grew. The transport performance in July reached 1.9 bn pass-km (an increase by 40% when compared to July 2020) and the operational performance rose to 15.8 m train-km (an increase by 8.6%). The average distance travelled by a passenger in July was 81 km and was 9 km longer than a year ago.
- Summer holidays once again brought passengers back to rail. Rail transport is a preferred mode of transport during summer holidays and a comfortable alternative to long journeys by a car. The transport performance in July is usually characterized by increases. We have not yet returned to the levels from before the pandemic, but a positive trend is visible - emphasizes Ignacy Góra, President of the Office of Rail Transport.
The results in July were also better when compared to June 2021. The number of passengers in July increased by over 2.4 m people (11.5%), the transport performance by over 515 m pass-km (37.1%) and the operational performance by almost 1.6 m train-km (9.3%).
Detailed data on passenger transport are available at www.dane.utk.gov.pl
RAIL FREIGHT
July turned out to be the second best month for rail freight this year (after March). When compared to July 2019 and July 2020 the weight of cargo and the operational performance grew. In July 2021 20.7 m tonnes of cargo were transported by rail (an increase by 12.3% when compared to July 2020), the transport performance was 4.7 bn tonne-km (an increase by 10.3%), while the operational performance amounted to 7.1 m train-km (an increase by 9.1%). The average transport distance decreased to 227 km (a drop by 4 km).
- The rail freight market parameters are at a slightly higher level than in 2019, which suggests that the railways coped with the challenges imposed by the global coronavirus pandemic. There is also a steady growth of the share of smaller carriers who entered the Polish market in recent years - comments Ignacy Góra, President of the Office of Rail Transport.
When compared to June 2021 there was an increase in almost all freight parameters. The weight of cargo rose by 0.9 m tonnes (4.6%), the transport performance by over 163.7 m tonne-km (3.6%) and the operational performance by almost 0.4 m train-km (5.0%). The average transport distance dropped by 2 km.
Detailed data on rail freight are available at www.dane.utk.gov.pl