A Railway Pact for the Łódź Voivodeship has been signed by Poland’s Minister of Infrastructure, Dariusz Klimczak, the CEO of PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PLK), Piotr Wyborski, and the Marshal of the Łódź Voivodeship, Joanna Skrzydlewska.
The agreement focuses on enhancing cooperation in the planning and construction of new railway lines that will connect Bełchatów with Łódź, Piotrków Trybunalski with Tomaszów Mazowiecki, and Wieluń with both Chorzew Siemkowice and Bełchatów.
The Railway Pact for Łódź also includes the modernisation and revitalisation of existing infrastructure to improve rail connectivity—particularly between Zgierz and Kutno, Łódź and Opoczno, and Skierniewice.
“The expansion of the railway network in the Łódź Voivodeship is a key element of our strategy to increase the efficiency of both passenger and freight transport. Investments such as the construction of new routes will help create a new network of connections across the region and the country. Together, we will carry out analyses to improve capacity on key lines, contributing to the continued dynamic development of rail infrastructure,” said Marcin Mochocki, Director for Investment Implementation at PKP PLK.
The Pact highlights the pressing need to improve transport accessibility in the Łódź Voivodeship, reinforcing regional cohesion and capitalising on its central location.
“The development of rail infrastructure in the Łódź region will lead to better integration of regional connections, allowing for more efficient and effective travel between cities. This will offer residents more mobility options and enable businesses to transport goods more quickly and conveniently. Both major urban centres and smaller local communities will benefit,” said the CEO of PKP PLK at the signing ceremony.
The signatories have committed to maximising the potential of rail transport upon completion of strategically important investment projects. These include developments such as the Łódź Railway Junction, led by PLK in cooperation with Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK), along the Central Railway Line (CMK), which is currently under modernisation and expansion works, including the deployemtn of ETCS, all subprojects expected to be completed in 2026. This includes the construction of Biała Rawska station and is supported by funding from the European Funds for Łódź 2021–2027 programme. Additionally, other rail initiatives in the province are being implemented under the Kolej Plus programme, running through to 2029 and financed jointly by the state and local authorities.
“Our region is undergoing a transport revolution. Major projects such as the high-speed railway and the construction of two tunnels beneath the centre of Łódź are opening up new opportunities for social, cultural, and economic development. However, these investments must be complemented by regional connections—‘tributaries’ that support the main lines. The Railway Pact for Łódź responds to the region’s dynamic transformation. This tripartite commitment will provide us with a concrete action plan for the coming years,” said the Marshal of the Łódź Voivodeship during the ceremony held on 9 April 2025.
The aim of the Railway Pact for Łódź is to ensure synergy between regional and long-distance rail connections, enabling more effective provincial and interprovincial transport.
“Together with local authorities and PLK, we will work to ensure synergy between regional and long-distance routes by balancing strategic investments already underway. Increasing the region’s transport accessibility will strengthen its internal cohesion and optimise the use of its geographical, central location,” said the Minister of Infrastructure.
Future actions and investment priorities will be determined based on the results of the agglomeration junction planning study.
As funding becomes available, the Łódź Voivodeship and PKP PLK will enter into further agreements to initiate project studies and documentation for two potential railway axes: one connecting Bełchatów with Łódź, and the other linking Piotrków Trybunalski and Tomaszów Mazowiecki.
Additionally, the Voivodeship authorities intend to pursue the launch of a fast rail connection on the Łódź–Tomaszów Mazowiecki–Warsaw route. These projects will be co-financed by funds available to the signatories of the Railway Pact. Regional authorities are committed to ensuring the provision of provincial public utility rail transport using infrastructure managed by PLK with a minimum of eight pairs of trains operating daily.
Regarding the high-speed projects in this region, Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) is advancing the Warsaw – Łódź HSR aiming to reduce travel time to approximately 45 minutes. In June 2023, the EU delivered EUR 64 million for this 140 km line, which will accommodate speeds up to 350 km/h. The connection through Łódź will be provided by a new 4.6 km tunnel for which the construction was launched at the end of 2023.
This tunnel will link the Retkinia and Fabryczna chambers, facilitating high-speed trains connecting Warsaw, Wrocław, and Poznań. The project is budgeted at approximately PLN 2.8 billion (EUR 654 million), with construction expected to be completed in 2028.
Another strategic rail project is the cross-city railway line running through the centre of the city of Łódź with transport hubs in Łódź Kaliska (situated west of the city), Łódź Fabryczna, the largest and most modern railway station in the city of Łódź and Łódź Widzew, located in the eastern part of Łódź. The line is currently under construction and also includes the construction of a new section linking the Widzew and Niciarniana stations, and the tunnel reaching Łódź Fabryczna station, enhancing urban mobility.
In addition, PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe is implementing several projects involving the construction of new stations in the Łódź region, as part of the Government programme for the construction or modernisation of railway stations for the years 2021–2025. The result of the investment will be more convenient train journeys and improved access to rail services, thereby increasing the attractiveness of rail travel for both everyday and occasional journeys.
Łódź Voivodeship is strategically located in central Poland for which transport is not only a way of mobility, but also the driver of trade and economic development. Concerning transport, the local authorities, as well the Polish government are focused on the modernisation and development of railway infrastructure. These enhancements are designed to improve connectivity, reduce travel times, and bolster economic development both regionally and nationally.
The Łódź Voivodeship’s substantial investments in railway infrastructure reflect a strategic vision to enhance transport efficiency, stimulate economic growth, and improve environmental sustainability. These projects not only benefit the region but also contribute to Poland’s position within the European transport network, paving the way for a more connected and prosperous future.
These initiatives underscore the Łódź Voivodeship’s commitment to modernizing its railway infrastructure, improving passenger experience, and bolstering regional development.