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“We want to equip drivers with the skills and expertise they need to respond appropriately to emergencies on the road, prevent incidents where possible and, if necessary, minimise their consequences,” said Zdzisław Szczerbaciuk, President of the Management Board of the Polish Chamber of Road Transport and Freight Forwarding (PIGTSiS), opening the meeting during the 18th International Public Transport Trade Show TRANSEXPO.

He stressed the importance of experience, knowledge and the continuous professional development of those responsible for passenger transport. This focus also has a practical counterpart at the trade show: on Friday, 18 finalists will compete in the final of the Polish Professional Bus Drivers’ Championship. They will be assessed not only on their driving skills, but also on their ability to respond to emergencies and provide first aid.

Honoured by the President of Poland

A key part of the conference was the presentation of state decorations awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland to people who have often spent several decades working for transport companies. The decorations were presented on behalf of the President by Alvin Gajadhur, adviser to the President of Poland.

The Silver Cross of Merit was awarded to Ryszard Graczyk, President of PKS in Wieluń. Gold and Silver Medals for Long Service were presented to bus drivers, mechanics, vehicle inspectors and employees working in technical support and administration.

Honorary Badges of Merit for Transport of the Republic of Poland and industry distinctions awarded by PIGTSiS were also presented. The full list of recipients appears at the end of the article.

Alvin Gajadhur also commented on the amendment to the Public Transport Act, which the President vetoed in August. president.pl

“There were provisions that were not in the interests of either citizens or local authorities,” he said, while expressing hope that work would continue on revised proposals.

How Many Services, How Many Passengers and at What Cost?

In the substantive part of the conference, Mieczysław Marosz, Director of PIGTSiS, discussed public transport regulations, the funding of services and discrepancies between data published by different institutions.

“To make a decision, you need information,” he stressed.

In the Chamber’s view, any proposed changes must address several fundamental questions: how many services will be added, how many could disappear, how many passengers will use them and how much the system will cost.

PIGTSiS is also calling for greater transparency in the awarding of contracts for public service transport, effective oversight of decisions and accurate valuation of contracts. Funding for transport services in 2027 was another recurring topic throughout the discussion.

A Cyberattack Can Start Outside the Business

One of the conference’s most compelling presentations was delivered by Dr Adam Behan, a member of the Department of Criminal Law at Jagiellonian University and the Institute of Telecommunications and Cybersecurity at AGH University of Krakow. AGH University of Krakow

Transport operators now rely on external systems for invoicing, accounting, vehicle tracking and fleet management. A problem at a single service provider can therefore affect multiple businesses at the same time.

“There is no such thing as a secure IT system. That is an oxymoron,” Behan said.

The expert pointed out that having a backup is not enough. Businesses must also verify that their data can actually be restored, how long the process will take and who is responsible for making decisions when systems stop working.

“Even a sheet of paper will do: if something happens, who do I call? Who is responsible?” he said.

The development of artificial intelligence is also changing phishing. Messages impersonating business partners can be increasingly tailored to individual recipients and draw on information obtained in previous data breaches.

“These are not the attacks we saw ten years ago,” the expert stressed.

Following the presentation, the idea emerged of organising dedicated workshops for PIGTSiS members on cybersecurity and assessing external IT service providers.

Safety Before a Crisis Occurs

Dorota Oleszewska, President of the Partnership for Road Safety Association, returned to the common theme running through the conference.

“We act reactively rather than proactively,” she said.

In her view, safety must be addressed before an accident or another serious incident occurs, through education and training as well as cooperation between businesses, public authorities and expert organisations.

Honourees at the PIGTSiS Transport Conference

Silver Cross of Merit:
Ryszard Graczyk.

Gold Medal for Long Service:
Marek Bialucha, Marek Biegański, Janusz Błach, Wiesława Dąbrowska, Anna Grzanka, Mirosław Grzanka, Janusz Grzelak, Dariusz Ilnicki, Wacław Kaja, Stanisław Krawczyk, Jerzy Maruska, Wojciech Piechota, Jan Pośpiech, Beata Stachowiak, Jarosław Stępień, Wiesław Szumański, Katarzyna Trocińska, Zofia Wośkowiak.

Silver Medal for Long Service:
Arkadiusz Milewski.

Honorary Badge ‘Meritorious for Polish Transport’:
Wojciech Antosiuk, Adam Bednarz, Zenon Dacewicz, Zbigniew Fronia, Mirosław Grzanka, Tomasz Ilczuk, Michał Kowalka, Piotr Lechkun, Robert Piasecki, Krzysztof Romaniuk, Cezary Stasiuk, Sławomir Szofer, Marek Tkaczuk, Sławomir Wojtkowski, Sławomir Zimiński, Rafał Żłobiński.

PKS Honorary Badge for Contributions to Road Traffic Safety in Transport and Public Transport:
Jan Cerny.

PIGTSiS St Christopher Award:
Ryszard Michałek, Andrzej Pograniczny, Dorota Oleszewska.