Polish Train Drivers’ Go-Slow Protest Causes Widespread Rail Delays

Poland’s rail network faced widespread disruption on Friday as train drivers staged a go-slow protest over safety concerns. Drivers reduced their speed to 20 km/h at railway level crossings, causing delays across the network on one of the country’s busiest travel days.

The protest followed a fatal accident in central Poland on Wednesday, when a train collided with a truck at a level crossing and derailed, killing one person and sending 10 others to hospital. Train drivers’ union representatives said repeated safety concerns had been ignored and called for stronger consequences for motorists who cross tracks despite red warning signals.

PKP Intercity reported that 203 of its 290 services were delayed by midday, with delays averaging 37 minutes. The Polish government has promised tougher penalties for drivers who ignore crossing signals, including possible loss of driving licences, while also planning to invest hundreds of millions of zlotys in railway crossing safety improvements.

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