The Cracovia express trains from Kraków through Košice to Budapest may return to the railway schedule, having last operated in 2010. Both the Slovak and Hungarian ministries of transport see value in reviving the route, while Poland, initially opposed, appears to have changed its stance.
The service was halted fifteen years ago due to flood damage to a bridge, and it has not been restored since. However, the chances of the Cracovia express returning are increasing. “The launch of the Budapest – Košice – Kraków route is being initiated by the Ministry of Transport. After initially negative responses from Poland, our northern neighbors now seem open to such a connection,” said ministry spokesperson Petra Poláčiková.
The Hungarian side would likely support the reintroduction as well, noting that seven pairs of trains already run daily between Budapest and Košice. “The potential of the route is clear, as it links Budapest with 1.7 million inhabitants, Miskolc with 144,000, Košice with 224,000, and Kraków with 809,000 residents. Each of these cities has a strong industrial base,” stated the Hungarian Ministry of Transport.
“We’ve developed several timetable options in cooperation with our Hungarian colleagues. We’ve proposed a joint meeting of all three countries to reach an agreement,” Poláčiková added. The Polish side did not respond to questions by the deadline.
Operating such a service requires a trilateral agreement. The Slovak national railway company, Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK), supports the idea. “If an agreement is reached between the countries, ZSSK is ready to operate the service within Slovakia and continue negotiations with partners in Poland and Hungary on specific cooperation options,” the national carrier stated.
“This route has great potential, as both Košice and Prešov are major Slovak cities, and a connection to Kraków Airport or other Polish cities would be highly welcomed,” added transport analyst Tomáš Burger.
If launched, the Cracovia service would become the only regular direct rail connection between Slovakia and Poland. Currently, only seasonal tourist trains operate on the Poprad-Tatry – Muszyna route during the summer and winter.
Source: STVR
