The withdrawal of RegioJet from the Polish domestic market is a stark warning: rail competition in Poland is not working in practice.
RegioJet entered the Kraków–Warsaw route in September 2025 with strong financial backing and a clear plan to expand internationally. Within months, despite stabilising operations by March 2026, it has been forced to exit.
The reasons are deeply concerning.
Sales points were denied and marketing at stations was terminated by PKP SA, making it harder for passengers to find or use RegioJet’s services.
Planned services were not fully granted, journey times were extended, and access to key stations and maintenance facilities was restricted. Even a depot already won at auction remains blocked.
Ticket prices were cut by up to 70% following RegioJet’s entry, raising serious competition concerns for a dominant operator.
Key timetable slots were occupied during RegioJet’s rollout, undermining the viability of its services.
Despite the Fourth Railway Package, the framework intended to support new entrants is not functioning effectively.
At the same time, RegioJet operated without subsidies, while the incumbent remains largely state-funded. Even compensation for statutory passenger discounts was not agreed.
The outcome is clear: RegioJet will cease domestic operations on 3 May 2026, while continuing international services.
This is not an isolated case. It is a textbook example of how a dominant, vertically integrated system can block competition through control of stations, infrastructure, pricing, and track access.
“We share RegioJet’s disappointment at having to pull out of the Polish domestic market at this time, and applaud their open communication and concern for their Polish passengers.
RegioJet’s exit is a significant step backwards for liberalisation, and sets a worrying precedent that the dominant operator can push competitors out not on the merits of their services, but through anti-competitive action.
This is especially disappointing because Poland committed to opening the rail market in 2021. Five years later, it is moving in the opposite direction, with a regulator that is not protecting fair competition.”