Poland and the Czech Republic are strengthening their cooperation in the rail sector through an agreement on the development of cross-border connections, with the Katowice–Ostrava line project at the heart of this collaboration.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Berlin, during InnoTrans 2026, by Piotr Rachwalski, a member of Port Polska’s management responsible for the rail sector, and Tomáš Tóth, Director-General of the Czech rail infrastructure manager Správa železnic.
The agreement sets out the framework for continued cooperation between the two organisations, both in preparing new rail links between Poland and the Czech Republic and in exchanging expertise on the operation of the rail system.
The Katowice–Ostrava link: the flagship project of the cooperation
The most advanced joint project is the Katowice–Ostrava rail link, on which Port Polska and Správa železnic have been collaborating since 2019. Teams from both countries are coordinating the various stages of the project, from technical aspects and service planning to legal, administrative and financing issues.
The Katowice–Ostrava rail link “is a project whose significance extends far beyond the cross-border section. We want to connect the high-speed rail networks of Poland and the Czech Republic and create new travel opportunities in Central Europe”, said Piotr Rachwalski.
Another key objective of the cooperation is to identify sources of European funding. The two parties intend to coordinate their efforts towards a future funding application under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), aimed at building the Katowice–Ostrava link.
The memorandum confirms the two partners’ commitment to continuing the project and establishes a framework for joint action to access European funds.
Exchange of expertise on rail interoperability
However, the agreement signed is not limited to the Katowice–Ostrava project; it also provides for the exchange of expertise on technical standards, interoperability, the ERTMS system, rail market regulation and traffic modelling.
Discussions will also cover the operation of open-access rail services, provided by operators under open-access conditions to the infrastructure.
The agreement also leaves open the possibility of further discussions regarding the Wrocław–Prague rail link. At present, the Czech side is focusing on other priorities for the development of its high-speed network, but both parties are keen to continue the dialogue on this project.
The Centre for Transport and Mobility, a unit within Port Polska that brings together expertise in the planning and operation of transport systems, will play a role in this exchange of experience.
The Katowice–Ostrava link is regarded by the two partners as a key element in the development of cross-border rail links in Central Europe and the integration of high-speed networks in the region.
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