PASSENGER TRANSPORT
In September 2021 24.86 m passengers travelled by rail. When compared to September 2020, it rose by over 3.25 m (15.1%). A higher result was also recorded in the transport performance, which was 1.57 bn pass-km (an increase by 25.7%). The operational performance amounted to 14.5 m train-km (an increase by 3%). The average distance travelled by one passenger was 63 km (over 5 km more than in September 2020).
In September 2021 53 thous. passengers less (0.2%) than in August travelled by rail, but 1.3 m more (5.7%) than in July. The transport performance was lower by 489 m pass-km (23.7%) when compared to August and by 333 m pass-km (by 17.5%) when compared to July. Lower value of transport performance compared to August or July this year is linked to fewer passengers travelling on longer distances. The average distance travelled by one passenger in September was shorter by 19.5 km when compared to August and by 17.8 km when compared to July.
September is the end of summer holidays and the return to work and school. In September fewer people use long-distance services, while the number of passengers in regional and agglomeration traffic increases - comments Ignacy Góra, President of the Office of Rail Transport. If we look at a seasonal trend, September's results are much better than last year's, which shows that despite the pandemic, rail passenger transport is a safe and reliable choice to travel to work and school.
When compared to August, the number of passengers using long-distance transport services decreased in September. PKP Intercity carried 1.3 m passengers less (27%). Regional and agglomeration carriers recorded an increase in the number of passengers by 1.4 m (9%).
Detailed data on rail passenger transport are available at www.dane.utk.gov.pl
RAIL FREIGHT
In September 21 m tonnes of goods were transported by rail. When compared to September 2020, it is an increase by 1.38 m tonnes (7%). The transport performance amounted to 4.9 bn tonne-km - it rose by 252.3 m tonne-km (5.4%) as compared to September 2020. The operational performance rose by 0.14 m train-km (2%) and exceeded 7 m train-km. The average transport distance was 234 km (a decrease by 4 km).
In September 0.14 m tonnes (0.7%) less than in August were transported by rail. The transport performance rose by 40.6 m tonne-km (0.8%) more than in August. The operational performance was lower in September by 0.11 m train-km (1.6%). The average transport distance of one ton was 4 km longer than in August.
The rail freight market has a real growth potential. When we look at the mass of transported goods, September's results are the third this year. Good news for the market are the result for the three quarters of 2021 which are higher than those achieved in the same period in 2020 and 2019. This year it is visible that rail services are in demand in manufacturing, construction and transport of consumer goods - says Ignacy Góra, President of the Office of Rail Transport.
After three quarters of 2021, the weight of transported goods amounted to 179.7 m tonnes and was higher by 17.7 m tonnes (10.9%) than in the same period of 2020. The transport performance increased by 3.2 bn tonne-km to 41 bn tonne-km, while the operational performance rose by 4.6 m train-km from 56.2 m train-km to 60.8 m train-km.
Detailed data on rail freight are available at www.dane.utk.gov.pl