SKM Tricity Train Ride - Gdańsk Wrzeszcz to Stocznia | 24/08/25 | POLAND

Riding the Szybka Kolej Miejska (Tricity) from Gdańsk Wrzeszcz to Stocznia. Poland, 24/08/25.

PKP Szybka Kolej Miejska w Trójmieście Sp. z o.o. (Polish pronunciation: [ˈʂɨpka ˈkɔlɛi̯ ˈmjɛi̯ska]); (SKM; which translates as 'Rapid Urban Rail'), is a public rapid transit and commuter rail system in Poland's Tricity area (Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia), in addition to servicing the Little Kashubian Tricity and Lębork 59 km (37 mi) west of Gdynia; its service extended in the past also to Słupsk, Pruszcz Gdański, Tczew, Elbląg, and as far south as Iława. Until December 2022, It serviced Kartuzy and Koscierzyna.

The SKM functions as a rapid transit and commuter rail service for the Tricity, operating frequent trains on the central section between Gdańsk and Gdynia, and less frequently to outlying sections. The SKM route has 27 stops covering the Tricity between Gdańsk, Gdynia and Wejherowo.

The SKM was established after World War II ended in 1945, when the cities of the Tricity, which had previously been divided under Polish and non-Polish administrations, all became part of Poland. For the first 24 years, from the start of SKM service in January 1952 until December 1976, SKM trains used cars built in the 1930s for the Berlin S-Bahn. These cars had been taken from Germany to Poland in 1945 as war reparations.

In December 1976 the Berlin cars were retired, and replaced by new ones constructed in Poland. In 2014, nearly one-third of the SKM fleet was completely rebuilt. An order for new cars was also on the horizon, and the SKM was entering a constant phase of modernization and improvement.

Railway
Route and service
The SKM route has 27 stops covering the Tricity between Gdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia and Wejherowo, all located along one continuous line parallel to the coast of the Baltic Sea. SKM service has been extended to Wejherowo and Lębork, 59 km (37 mi) west of Gdynia. The entire line is electrified, and service is operated by electric multiple unit trains at intervals of 6 to 30 minutes between trains (depending on the time of day) on the central section between Gdańsk and Gdynia, and less frequently on outlying sections. It is similar to a subway service or light rail in other European cities. The Tricity area is suited for this method of transport, as it occupies a relatively narrow north–south corridor between Gdańsk Bay and the Tricity Landscape Park.

Rolling stock
SKM uses mostly PKP class EN57 and EN71 electric multiple unit trains, whose design dates back to 1962 and 1976. They have since been modernised to meet EU requirements such as accessibility for handicapped passengers, advanced security and comfort. In 2016 2 new Newag Impuls trainsets were purchased. The rolling stock is maintained at Gdynia Cisowa Elektrowozownia (Gdynia Cisowa Depot), which is located on the border between Gdynia and Rumia, and also serves as company headquarters.

The EMUs have doors on both sides of the train and therefore can easily be used in either direction. Even though the SKM line has stops with high platforms, the units can be used on low platform stations as well. The most common livery for SKM electric multiple units is yellow and blue. The exception are units with advertising labels, which are coloured according to the advertiser's wishes. The SKM company logo is placed on both sides of the unit, next to the doors.

On October 29, 2007, newly refurbished EN57 units modernised by ZNTK Mińsk Mazowiecki entered service. The refurbishments included an improved shape for aerodynamics. New security systems, one of which prevents the doors from opening while the train is in motion, were also added. Additionally, dividing walls between cars were removed and seats were mounted on walls instead of on the floor. The trains were made more accessible by improving access to toilets and adding electronic displays and station announcements. Crew compartments were equipped with an air conditioning system. The total cost of modernisation came to 18,000,000 zł, 5,000,000 of which was covered by the European Union.

PKP SKM used a 55 million PLN (around €13 million) loan from the Polish Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) to refurbish 22 electric railway carriages, extending the lifetime by 20 years.


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