Poland Secures the European Rail Champion Award
Poland has been awarded the 2026 Rail Champion Award in recognition of its significant role in advancing rail transport across Europe.
The honour was presented this week at the European Railway Awards, an annual event organised by rail operators from across the continent to recognise political leadership and technical progress in the rail sector.
Poland was commended for its actions during the first half of last year, when it held the EU’s rotating presidency, and for its efforts to strengthen rail as a cornerstone of Europe’s competitiveness and resilience. Organisers highlighted the Polish presidency’s “exceptionally rich rail programme”, which brought renewed focus to innovation and investment.
The award was accepted on behalf of Poland by Deputy Infrastructure Minister Piotr Malepszak, who underlined the strategic importance of transport amid growing geopolitical tensions.
“Transport is not only about mobility—it is also about security,” Malepszak said, referring to last year’s sabotage of a Polish rail line used to supply aid to Ukraine. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Poland has emerged as a key hub for military equipment and humanitarian assistance destined for Ukraine.
“During the Polish presidency, security became a central pillar of a competitive and well-funded European transport system,” Malepszak added. “Today, Poland’s approach is helping shape the future of rail in Europe.”
Strengthening rail capacity was one of Poland’s main priorities during its EU presidency, accompanied by a series of events aimed at encouraging investment in the sector. Official documents stressed the vital role railways play in crisis situations and emphasised the need to reinforce the sector’s resilience and strategic importance.
Polish authorities also underscored the importance of developing dual-use civil and military infrastructure, as well as safeguarding transport operators against potential attacks.
Poland’s state rail operator PKP welcomed the award, with Brussels office head Tomasz Lachowicz describing the current period as a “renaissance of Polish railways”. He noted that nearly 439 million rail journeys were made in Poland last year—the highest figure in three decades—compared with just 258 million in 2005, shortly after the country joined the EU.
Passenger numbers have continued to rise, prompting major investments. In November, PKP signed the largest rolling stock contract in its history, followed by a tender the next month for high-speed trains capable of reaching 320 km/h, the fastest ever planned for Polish rail lines.
EU funding was also confirmed in November for a new standard-gauge rail link between Poland and Ukraine. The project aims to overcome differences in track gauge between the two countries, which currently slow both passenger and freight transport.