The Sejm has declared 2026 the Year of Polish Railways, recognizing the contribution of Polish State Railways, its employees – both former and current – to the building and strengthening of Polish statehood, the shaping of the ethos of service to Poland, as well as to the work for the development of modern public transport.

As noted, „after regaining independence in 1918, the young Polish state struggled with numerous problems.” „The most important - in addition to the need to create a strong army and defend its borders - were issues related to uniting the three separate former partitions into a single cohesive state organism. Urgent unification of the railway network was necessary, which was of great importance in the process of integrating the Republic of Poland, divided for 123 years of captivity,” it was indicated.

It was emphasized that „the future of Polish railways was not predetermined at the time, and voices about their commercialization were heard in public debate.” „Ultimately, by virtue of the presidential decree of September 24, 1926, the state-owned enterprise Polish State Railways (Polskie Koleje Państwowe) was established, which became one of the largest employers in the country during the Second Polish Republic. There was a conviction in Polish society that developed railway infrastructure was a symbol of a modern state. Working on the railway was considered prestigious and inspired public trust,” it was explained.