Editor's Note: These are courtesy translations of local news provided by the U.S. Army Garrison Poland Public Affairs team for the benefit the military community stationed here. Views or opinions are not endorsed by USAG Poland or the U.S. Army.

Poznań to Celebrate 100 Years of Bus Service with Parade and Exhibition

A special event will take place on Sunday, September 14th. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of bus service in Poznań and the 145th anniversary of public transport, a parade of over 30 buses will travel through the streets of the capital of Greater Poland. Guests will be able to board both historic vehicles from decades ago and state-of-the-art, low-emission vehicles.

"Public transport is the lifeblood of the city. Thanks to it, Poznań is more accessible, environmentally friendly, and resident-friendly. This anniversary is an excellent opportunity to take stock, but also to discuss the future of urban public transport, which is our priority. Over the past 10 years, we have allocated almost a billion złoty to the purchase of new trams and buses, half of which comes from subsidies received. We have allocated approximately 1.5 billion złoty to track and overhead lines repairs, and the construction of new tram routes. Thanks to these investments, our residents now travel on some of the most modern rolling stock in Poland, on safer and quieter tracks. Punctuality and travel speed have also improved. We will continue to invest in the development of Poznań's public transport," emphasizes Jacek Jaśkowiak, Mayor of Poznań.

The anniversary event will take place at the Poznań International Fair, with gates opening at 11:00 AM (entrance through the Eastern Hall from the Dworcowy Bridge). Over 30 buses will be waiting in Marka Square. Guests will be able to choose a vehicle for the anniversary ride and complete the route. Special tickets have been prepared for passengers, which will serve as a unique souvenir of the day.

At precisely 12:00 PM, the colorful column will depart from the Poznań International Fair. The Poznań City Orchestra at MPK Poznań will lead the procession to the Kaponiera roundabout. From there, the buses will follow the following route: Roosevelta - Poznańska - Nowowiejskiego - Solna - Wyszyńskiego - Estkowskiego - Jana Pawła II - Baraniaka - Chartowo - Hetmańska - Głogowska - Grunwaldzka - MTP.

After the tour, the buses will be displayed at an exhibition in St. Mark's Square. Guest buses from other cities will also be departing on special tourist routes.

"One hundred years of bus service in Poznań is a history written by people – drivers, mechanics, and passengers. The parade will allow us to see the development of buses in a nutshell – from the first vehicles to the modern, low-emission fleet. This is a moment when we can thank residents for their trust and share in the joy of what we have achieved," emphasizes Krzysztof Dostatni, CEO of MPK Poznań.

This is also an opportunity to celebrate Poznań's broader transportation tradition. To celebrate the 145th anniversary of public transportation, a commemorative PEKA card will be issued. Its obverse features artwork by SiXi, inspired by the history and present of public transportation. The card is available for purchase from September 5th at all ZTM sales points.

"We have prepared a unique edition of the PEKA card for passengers. It is not only a practical device, but also a symbol of tradition and continuity. We want it to be a souvenir, a reminder of the important role public transport plays in the city's daily life. Efficient and high-quality local transport contributes to the city's strength and attractiveness. This anniversary demonstrates the great tradition of public transport in Poznań. At the same time, we are extremely pleased that such a prestigious event as the bus parade will take place in Poznań at the beginning of European Mobility Week," says Jan Gosiewski, Director of the Public Transport Authority in Poznań.

It is no coincidence that the Poznań International Fair became the centre of the celebrations - it is the event heart of Poznań.

"Marek's Square is the perfect venue for such a unique event, as it's where history meets the present. It's also a space where motoring-related excitement resonates daily – from the Poznań Motor Show, through the Retro Motor Show, to the Red Car Festival," emphasizes Karolina Nawrot, Corporate Communications Director at Grupa MTP.

Participation in the event is free. Space in vehicles during the parade is limited.

New Exhibition Honors Interwar Mayor Cyryl Ratajski

On Tuesday, September 2, an exhibition dedicated to Cyryl Ratajski, the interwar mayor of Poznań, opened in the Free Courtyard.

The exhibition was opened by, among others, the chairman of the Poznań City Council, Grzegorz Ganowicz, and the deputy mayors of Poznań - Mariusz Wiśniewski and Natalia Weremczuk.

The exhibition was prepared by Posnania Municipal Publishing House in cooperation with the Poznań City Hall and the Poznań Development Foundation. It aims to commemorate Cyryl Ratajski, the interwar mayor of the capital of Greater Poland, and his work.

The outdoor exhibition can be viewed until September 15 in the Free Courtyard.

The president who changed Poznań

Cyryl Ratajski was born on March 3, 1875, in Zalesie Wielkie. He studied law at the Friedrich Wilhelm University in Berlin. During the Greater Poland Uprising, he served as liaison between the Commissariat of the Supreme People's Council and the Polish National Committee in Paris.

From 1922 to 1934 and in 1939, he served as mayor of Poznań, contributing to the city's modernization and the development of its infrastructure. During World War II, he served as the Government Delegate for Poland, organizing the structures of the Polish Underground State. He died on October 19, 1942, in Warsaw.

Mobile Ticket Activation Now Required on Poznań Public Transit

Changes to the ZTM Poznań ticket tariff will take effect on September 1st. One of the new features will be the activation of tickets purchased via the mobile app. This simple action ensures that they are valid from the moment you begin your journey.

Single tickets (15, 45, 90 minutes) and short-term tickets (24 hours and 7 days) can be purchased in 5 applications:

Starting September 1st, when you purchase a ticket through one of these apps, you'll need to activate it. There are two ways to do this:

  • by scanning the QR code placed in the vehicle (above the windows, opposite the door)
  • by entering the vehicle number, which is located on the side of the bus and tram and on the driver's cabin (it will also be located next to the QR code).

This quick and intuitive option is available with other carriers in Poland, such as Warsaw. Those purchasing tickets this way will also receive in-app instructions on what to do next. If the ticket is still valid, they can transfer to another tram or bus without having to scan the QR code again. Simply continue their journey.

During inspections after September 1st, simply show the inspector your previously activated ticket with the QR code generated in the app. It's important to remember that the ticket must be purchased immediately upon boarding the vehicle, as it will no longer be possible to activate it once the inspection begins. Failure to present a valid ticket will result in an additional fee of PLN 350 starting September 1st (PLN 175 if paid at the inspector or within 7 days).

Purchasing a ticket via the app saves time and is convenient. Everything is at your fingertips, right on your smartphone. It also offers peace of mind and certainty, as the app will remind you to activate your ticket and display its validity period. It's also eco-friendly, as less paper means less waste and protects the environment.

Starting September 1st, some ticket prices will also change. These changes will not apply to residents of Poznań and neighboring municipalities who pay taxes here and use season tickets. More information can be found on the ZTM website .

Public transport service frequencies will also change from the start of the school year, and trams will return to their regular routes after summer renovations. Details are available in the article on poznan.pl.

Starting Monday, September 1st, residents of eastern Naramowice will be able to use bus route 151, which will provide access to two key tram routes in northern Poznań. At the same time, the route of bus route 169 will be shortened. More information can be found on the ZTM website .

Poznań Airport Lifts Liquid Restrictions, Becomes Second in Poland to Do So

From Tuesday, passengers departing from Ławica do not have to worry about the restriction on liquid containers with a capacity of up to 100 ml in hand luggage.

It's official! As of Tuesday, September 9th, passengers in Poznań can carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in their carry-on luggage in containers of up to two liters. " Until now, the rules at Ławica Airport were similar to those used at other airports – the capacity of a single liquid container in carry-on luggage was limited to 100 milliliters, and the total volume of liquids carried in this way could not exceed one liter. Starting Tuesday, passengers departing from Poznań Airport can freely take water, beverages, cosmetics, and other liquids on board in containers up to two liters, making travel planning much easier. When passing through security, bottles or containers containing liquids do not need to be removed from their carry-on luggage. The new functionality will initially be rolled out to some of the active baggage screening lines," explains Marcin Wesołek, spokesperson for Poznań Airport.

"Every day we strive to become an increasingly passenger-friendly airport, and we are now taking another step in this direction. Allowing the transport of liquids in containers larger than 100 milliliters is currently an exception in European aviation. We are very pleased to be among the leaders of this change," says Grzegorz Bykowski, CEO of Poznań-Ławica Airport. "I would like to thank my team and the Civil Aviation Authority for the efficient and rapid implementation of this change, which is so beneficial for our passengers," he adds.

Poznań wanted to be the first city in Poland with this facility at its airport, but a few days ago, Kraków beat us to it. Ławica officially becomes the second airport in Poland to abolish the limits. "Thanks to the use of state-of-the-art CT scanners based on computed tomography technology at Poznań Airport, it is possible to precisely check the transport of liquids, gels, and aerosols. The Smiths Detection scanners, which have been operating in Poznań since April, have just been equipped with the latest, certified software, which allows the transport of larger volumes of liquids in hand luggage," Wesołek notes.

It's worth remembering that you still can't carry flammable or hazardous liquids in your carry-on luggage. It's also important to remember that the airport from which you'll be departing on your return flight to Poznań may have different limits than those in your home city – so it's worth being prepared.

Plant Festival Returns to Poznań International Fair Sept. 13–14

The Plant Festival is just a few days away.

At the Poznań International Fair, you'll be able to buy potted plants at great prices. "After a summer break, we're back with an even larger selection, new species, and, as always, a great atmosphere," the organizers announce.

As announced, this season's new offerings will include more species (including garden varieties), sizes, and colors than ever before, surprising specimens at great prices—even for those who haven't previously had anything to do with plants, as well as fresh pot designs, bestselling books, and inspiring accessories.

"Plants straight from the gardeners—they come to us without unnecessary intermediaries. Prices start at just 5 PLN—we print a comparison with the online price. See the difference. The quality is much higher than in supermarkets. A huge selection—from popular classics to rare collector's items," the organizers say.

The event is scheduled for the weekend of September 13-14 in Pavilion 2 at the Poznań International Fair. Saturday will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission is free for everyone.

Jakdojade App Begins Testing Uber Integration for Transit Gaps

Tests take place in Poznań and Upper Silesia.

- Jakdojade users - for now in Poznań and Upper Silesia - receive a recommendation to order a taxi ride under the Uber brand wherever access by public transport is difficult or would take much longer - inform Uber and Jakdojade.

The option has been available since Thursday. Uber will be recommended as a means of transportation if the wait time for a ride is longer than a few minutes. "The suggestion to order a ride through Uber will appear within the Jakdojade app after searching for a route, as one of the available options, an alternative to public transport. After selecting it, the user will be directed to the Uber app or—if it is not installed on their device—to the Google Play Store or App Store, where they can download it for free," they add.

Poznań to Host Urban Adventure Game During European Mobility Week

The city game will take place on September 20th.

As part of European Mobility Week, the city game will be called "Travelers, or There and Back Again."

According to ZTM, along the route, you'll encounter characters like Tadeusz Perkitny and Leon Mroczkiewicz, the first Poles to circumnavigate the globe; Kazimierz Nowak, a solo cyclist traversing the wilderness of Africa; Arkady Fiedler, writer and traveler; and Paweł Edmund Strzelecki, the conqueror of Mount Kosciuszko in Australia, born in Głuszyna, near Poznań. In total, there will be seven characters to meet, and each encounter presents a new task, puzzle, and opportunity to gain knowledge.

The game "Travelers, or There and Back Again" combines education with adventure and shows that in Poznań every day can be full of discoveries. Participants will enjoy plenty of fun, a portion of stories about the city and its heroes, as well as prizes - both for participation and for winning - informs ZTM.

The game will start at 11:00 a.m. on Święty Marcin Street, near the "Alfa" skyscraper (at the intersection with Gwarna Street). To participate, you must assemble a team of at least two and a maximum of seven people and register, which you can do via the website: miastotoplansza.pl.