Poland transport: Kraków tram usage concerns and new Żywiec-Kraków rail links

New developments in Polish regional transport are emerging in the Kraków area. Following the launch of a new tram route to Mistrzejowice on September 26, local officials have raised concerns regarding the low passenger numbers at underground stops like Rondo Młyńskie. Councilor Marcin Borek noted that while trams are well-filled, underground stops see very few passengers compared to surface stops, potentially due to steep stairs and a lack of escalators.

In separate rail news, three new direct Intercity train services between Żywiec and Kraków—named ‘Pilsko’, ‘Rysianka’, and ‘Żylica’—are scheduled to begin on December 13, 2026. While the current plan routes these trains through Bielsko-Biała, Czechowice-Dziedzice, and Oświęcim, authorities in Suski County have requested a route change. They propose diverting some services through Sucha Beskidzka via railway line no. 97 to better utilize recently modernized infrastructure.