TRAKO 2025 Launches with High-Level Ceremony and Bold Announcements

The 16th edition of TRAKO, Central and Eastern Europe’s largest railway industry fair, opened in Gdańsk with a grand ceremony attended by top political leaders, rail executives, and international guests.

The opening ceremony was marked by the presence of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak, Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun, and Mayor of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, alongside Dorota Daszkowska-Kosewska, Director of TRAKO, and Alan Beroud, President and CEO of PKP Group. The audience also included the Spanish Ambassador and the President of the Office of Rail Transport, reflecting the international importance of the event. Mayor Dulkiewicz warmly welcomed the delegates, remarking: "I am happy to see around 700 guests here at TRAKO."

Prime Minister’s Commitment to Rail

Prime Minister Donald Tusk delivered one of the most anticipated speeches, combining personal anecdotes with bold visions for Poland’s railway future. Referring to his son Michał, a railway journalist, he said that his presence was not about family ties but about celebrating milestones: the 200th anniversary of the world’s first railway in Stockton–Darlington and the 100th anniversary of Polish State Railways (PKP). He said: "I love railways and I believe Poland can be a role model for reliable railway transport. I believe rail is the future for us."

Tusk praised the rapid construction of the new exhibition hall, noting: "It took nine months for the people of Gdańsk to build this new hall in which TRAKO takes place. People of Gdańsk are doers." He also pointed to the 36 million passengers carried by trains in July 2025, showing growing demand. "In the coming days we will form a public tender for high-speed railway. There should be a fierce competition and the project will be a huge challenge."

Infrastructure Priorities and Investments

Polish Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak stressed that rail will remain a priority within Poland’s infrastructure budget of EUR 23.5 billion (PLN 100 billion), with a substantial share allocated to railway development. He announced plans to build 1,000 km of new railways by 2035 and confirmed that the Warszawa Wschodnia station reconstruction would proceed at a cost of EUR 4.7 billion (PLN 20 billion). His remarks underscored the government’s dual challenge: delivering ambitious projects while ensuring financing.

Once again, RAILTARGET is an official media partner, providing live coverage, interviews, and reports from its professional studio in Gdańsk, so stay tuned for further updates.