Car-Free Day: Free Train Rides Across the Region
Car-Free Day: Free Train Rides Across the Region
A journey without traffic jams, detours, or restrictions? Yes! On Monday, September 22, instead of using a car, you can choose fast, comfortable, eco-friendly, and – importantly – free travel on our regional trains. As part of European Car-Free Day, we invite you to take advantage of free connections operated by our carriers – Arriva and Polregio.
“Two documents are enough: your vehicle registration and ID card, to receive a ticket at the station or from the conductor, allowing free train travel in our voivodeship that day,” encourages Marshal Piotr Całbecki.
Affordable Train Travel Every Day
Traveling by train in Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship is also possible at reduced fares every other day. The regional government, which organizes passenger rail connections in the region, is subsidizing carriers with PLN 200 million this year. Thanks to this subsidy, under the Kuyavian-Pomeranian fare scheme, passengers pay 40% less than the base ticket price. The fare is PLN 4.70 for the first 10 kilometers and PLN 0.2462 for each additional kilometer. This initiative encourages travelers to use railways, not just roads.
The regional government also covers costs for rail infrastructure access and station fees, allocating PLN 33 million annually from the voivodeship budget.
More Connections
Additionally, based on agreements with other local governments, the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Marshal’s Office co-organizes over 30 pairs of rail connections between voivodeships. Regional trains reach, among other destinations, the capitals of Greater Poland and Łódź, the Western Coast, Olsztyn, the Masovian and Pomeranian regions. Seasonal connections to popular holiday destinations, including Kołobrzeg and Hel, are also available.
Three years ago, our regional passenger trains traveled 5.4 million kilometers; this year – 6.7 million kilometers. The number of connections in the region has increased by one-fifth over the years. Currently, there are 200, and by December, additional routes to Ciechocinek will be launched, with further expansions to Rypin and Wierzchucin planned for next winter.
New Rolling Stock
The regional government continuously invests in modern trains to replace older units. Within two years, seven new electric vehicles manufactured by Pesa in Bydgoszcz will join the fleet. The purchase is financed from the European Funds for Kujawsko-Pomorskie (EFKP) 2021-2027 and government funds. The cost of these traction units is over PLN 329 million. These investments make rail travel faster, safer, and more comfortable.
New Stations
Equally important are investments in rail infrastructure – switches, crossings, stops, and stations. PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe, at the request of the marshal, is building new stations that reflect the changing settlement network in our region and make it easier for passengers to use regional train services. New stops have been created in Trzeciewnica, Dąbrowa Chełmińska, Grudziądz, Tuchola, and Grzybno (Chełmno County).
As part of the BiT City project, which includes a series of transport investments coordinated by the regional government to improve connections between Toruń and Bydgoszcz, a modern train station was built in Bydgoszcz, and the Toruń station was thoroughly modernized. Passengers also benefit from new stations and stops, and a tram line to Fordon has been launched.
Billions for Rail
In August, agreements were signed at the Marshal’s Office to finance the modernization, expansion, and electrification of line 201 (Maksymilianowo – Kościerzyna) and the modernization of line 353 (Toruń Główny – Toruń Wschodni). Both projects also include station upgrades and construction or modernization of engineering structures (bridges and rail viaducts). The total value of both investments is PLN 7.4 billion, mainly funded by the centrally distributed program European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, Environment (FEnIKS).
Beata Krzemińska
Press Spokesperson, Marshal’s Office
September 19, 2025