We would like to remind you that on June 9, 2024, important changes for rail travelers entered into force. PKP Intercity announced that a fee has been introduced for reserving seats for season tickets , including on sections purchased as part of the "multiprzejazd" and "multiprzejazd max" offers.
Since then, a fee of PLN 3 has been introduced for reserving a seat on tickets for journeys on TLK, IC and EIC trains , while on journeys with ED161 (Dart) trains, reservation will still be obligatory.
Seat reservations for PKP season tickets
In the case of Intercity trains composed of Flirt, ED-74 and diesel multiple units, and in TLK, IC and EIC trains composed of wagon sets, reservations are to be optional, the carrier informed. This means that the passenger will be able to take any available seat until the person with the reservation shows up. It was added that the passenger will be able to buy a reservation for a season ticket if he wants to have a guaranteed seat.
The changes introduced are to be a response to situations in which many reservations were taken, but no one took the trip, which in turn prevented other travelers from using the trip.
A passenger who wanted to travel, for example, on the full route of the IC 5122 MAZURY train going from Olsztyn Główny to Łódź Fabryczna could face the lack of availability of seats for reservation due to the purchased seat on the example section Warsaw – Skierniewice, even though no one actually took it places. This prevented other travelers from using the transport services. Due to such situations, it was impossible to buy a ticket not only for longer routes, but also for shorter ones. Another example is a situation when a passenger with a season ticket on the Warsaw – Żyrardów section, which takes about 20 minutes by train, was late for one train and could not take another train, such as Flirt, in which seat reservations were required, because all these seats were occupied. After the mandatory reservation of seats on selected trains is abolished, this will be possible and a passenger who does not purchase a seat reservation for a season ticket will be sure that he will travel – we read on the carrier's website.
PKP noted that as a result of the changes, passengers will have the opportunity to return their tickets without deducting any compensation and without taking into account the deadlines for return provided for in the carrier's regulations.
Seat reservation marking on PKP Intercity trains
As we read in the information, PKP Intercity train timetables provide the category of the train and additional information in the form of icons with a legend.
- The letter R in a square means the obligation to have a reservation.
- The letter R itself (without a square) indicates the possibility of reserving a seat.
Travelers purchasing single tickets receive them with a seat indication, if available. If there are no seats available, the passenger is informed about the possibility of purchasing a ticket without indicating a seat and traveling while standing.
Changes to reservations for Dart and Pendolino vehicles
The changes introduced will not apply to Dart and Pendolino vehicles . This means that the current mandatory reservation of seats will be maintained.
And how do travelers see the matter?
Opinions are divided under PKP's post informing about these changes. Many passengers share the changes introduced and understand their justification.
Of course, most people say – I don't know, I don't know, but I'll tell you xD 😅 Are you haters? Generally, I suggest giving the passenger a choice whether he wants to make a reservation or whether he prefers to take a risk and go without a reservation instead of waiting, for example, 10 hours for the next train in a given direction.
One user draws attention to the financial issue:
From the perspective of someone who travels from time to time, it's even cool, because he gets on the first train in the direction he's interested in and goes – the highest he can do is stand because he doesn't have a seat. But from the perspective of travelers with monthly tickets, if someone pays PLN 400 for a monthly ticket, they will pay PLN 532. (average 22 working days X PLN 6 round trip = PLN 132) PKP Intercity. Train to travel, you have quite a train to make money 🤣)
Another one adds:
I understand that abolishing the mandatory reservation for TLK trains operated by wagon sets makes sense as economical trains, this is the case, for example, in the Czech Republic or Slovakia, where ordinary Rychliks have an optional reservation, but abolish the obligation to make a reservation in ED74 or ED160? What about Darts? This will reduce driving comfort. There is a lot of space in the SN84, but I can't imagine the crowds in the ED160, ED161 or ED74, where it is tight.
What is your opinion on this matter? Are the changes introduced necessary?