Factors Influencing the Use of Regional Rail Transport Based on the Example of the Lubelskie Voivodeship

Railway reconditioning, i.e., infrastructure repairs and purchases of new rolling stock plus reconditioning of in-service vehicles in the Lubelskie Voivodeship, has been successfully implemented for several years, with the advent of EU aid funds. The first investment project was the construction of a short railway line (< 4 km) to an airport near Lublin, carried out as part of preparations for EURO 2012 (the line has been used since late 2012), i.e., the European Football Championship organized by Poland and Ukraine. Further investment projects soon followed, including the electrification of the LK 68 Lublin – Stalowa Wola, the reconditioning of the LK 7 Warsaw – Lublin, and the rebuilding of Lublin Główny station. Other eff orts included the revitalization of LK 30 Łuków – Lublin and work on LK 72 Zamość – Hrubieszów. Further, the reconstruction of the stations in Biała Podlaska, Małaszewicze, and Terespol was completed, together with the reconditioning of the LK 2, playing a vital role in freight connections with Russia and Belarus. However, the importance of this railway line has significantly decreased after February 2022 (due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine). The Broad-Gauge Metallurgical Railway Line (LHS)has been revitalized, and its importance in communication with Ukraine has significantly increased. However, the metropolitan railway connecting Lublin with Chełm and Zamość as well as the district cities of Puławy, Kraśnik, Parczew, and Lubartów has not been launched (a concept for a Lublin region metropolitan railway is under development).