Funkcjonowanie systemu metra w Polsce na tle krajów Unii Europejskiej
Functioning of the subway systems in Poland compared to European Union countries

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this study was to identify and assess the position of the Polish subway system in comparison with European subway networks. The research was of a quantitative-descriptive nature, it was based on secondary data analysis (for the year 2023), and conducted in October and November 2025. The data collection employed comparative and indicator-based methods, drawing on Eurostat databases and reports of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), covering 37 subway systems operating in the member states of the European Union. The theoretical section outlines the history of subway development in the EU as well as the current state of the network in Poland and the EU. It highlights the strategic role of subway systems as efficient and environmentally friendly modesof transport in the context of achieving the goals of the European Green Deal and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The literature review indicates growing interest in automation, integration, and the sustainable development of underground transport. The empirical section describes the position of the Polish subway system relative to the EU. It shows that the Warsaw subway, despite its relatively late opening (1995), ranks 24th in the synthetic ranking of subway systems in the EU. In terms of network length (41.5 km), it placed 25th. At the same time, Poland’s capital achieved the 13th position in total annual ridership (almost 200 million passengers). A key finding is the load ratio of 4.82 million passengers per kilometer of network, which is higher than the EU average. The article concludes with a summary including key findings and recommendations for further research. The high level of passenger traffic combined with limited infrastructure confirms the urgent need for further network expansion (a plan of up to 113 km by 2050) to meet the high transport demand.

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