Over 31 million passengers transported, over 1.5 billion in ticket revenue, an increase in transport work, and investments totaling 5.5 billion PLN – PKP Intercity has summarized the past year. It was a breakthrough time for the carrier. For the first time in years, the company recorded an increase in passenger numbers and revenues higher by over a quarter of a billion PLN.
31.2 million travelers chose PKP Intercity
Since the beginning of 2015, PKP Intercity has recorded a systematic increase in passenger numbers. For the first time since 2009, the company recorded an increase in the number of transported passengers. In total, 31.2 million customers used PKP Intercity services, which is 5.6 million more passengers than the previous year. This means a 22% increase in the number of travelers compared to 2014. Operational work reached a level of nearly 46 million train-kilometers, i.e., the level from before 2011.
– Last year was a breakthrough for us. Both in terms of the changes we introduced to our offer and the improvement of service quality, including through rolling stock investments. As a result, for the first time in 5 years, our results are growing. We not only had a traditionally very good summer season – 6.5 million passengers traveled with us during the summer. The end of the year was also successful. It was in the last quarter, which is usually a period of decline, that we recorded the highest growth dynamics – says Jacek Leonkiewicz, CEO of PKP Intercity. – We are particularly pleased with the fact that the increase in passengers is significantly higher than the increase in operational work. This means that we are increasing occupancy and thus increasing the efficiency of asset utilization and significantly improving financial results.
The dynamic increase in the number of passengers is, among other things, the result of a refined offer and numerous marketing campaigns. Attractive ticket prices, shorter travel times, and comfortable, modern trains make the PKP Intercity offer unbeatable on an increasing number of routes.
Warsaw-Krakow the most popular route
Last year, the increase in passenger numbers was visible among all customer groups. 61% more families, 116% more seniors, and 34% more students used PKP Intercity services. The company recorded the largest increases in the express segment – 80% more customers traveled on board than in 2014. 3.6 million passengers chose Express InterCity Premium category connections. Increases in travelers were visible on almost all routes. The largest were recorded on the lines: Wrocław – Krakow (+278 percent), Warsaw – Tri-City (+192 percent), and Krakow – Tri-City (+149 percent). The highest occupancy still occurs on trains running on the Warsaw-Krakow line.
Most trains new or modernized
In 2015, the carrier completed the largest investment program in its history, totaling nearly 5.5 billion PLN. Thanks to this, passengers can travel on board modern Pendolino, Flirt3, and PesaDART trains. The carrier’s resources were expanded with new Gama diesel locomotives, modernized SM42 locomotives, and 263 new or modernized carriages.
– Today, we are increasingly able to offer our customers a standard not previously associated with Polish railways, and not only in premium category trains but also in economic ones – explains Jacek Leonkiewicz, CEO of PKP Intercity. – The investment project covered almost the entire country, thanks to which comfortable trains can now be used not only by customers traveling between the largest cities but also between smaller centers. This brings very good transport results; we started the new timetable with further dynamic increases in passenger numbers. We are also increasingly making our presence felt by the competition. On some routes, the bus offer is practically ceasing to function. We are very pleased that passengers are returning to the railway.
Plans for 2016
The current timetable represents record operational work amounting to approx. 58 million train-kilometers. Furthermore, in 2016, PKP Intercity plans to focus on developing the sales and customer service area. In line with passenger expectations, it will be easier to buy tickets online. Already in January, an option to purchase online tickets for additional luggage, a bicycle, and a pet will appear. The implementation of further amenities – purchasing tickets with transfers or new international connections – is planned for the following months. A loyalty program is also planned to be launched.
The carrier is also interested in implementing new digital solutions on board trains. In addition to the basic offer in the form of Wi-Fi, the passenger will receive the opportunity to access various types of entertainment while integrating, for example, with social media. All this using geotargeting tools using GPS and sensors or devices located on the train. This will allow for a better understanding of passenger needs, improving rolling stock maintenance processes, and better matching the offer to individual passenger preferences.
These and many other changes in PKP Intercity’s assumptions should allow for the transport of over 37 million passengers in 2016, which, excluding transport counted as part of ticket settlements for railway workers, will mean a record in the company’s history.