Polish President Vetoes Changes to Bus Transport Fund

The news in Polish

1. weto
   Zawetować znaczy sprzeciwić się decyzji lub prawu i uniemożliwić jego wprowadzenie w życie. ↩︎
2. umowa  (f.)
   Umowa to pisemne lub ustne porozumienie pomiędzy stronami, ustalające zasady współpracy i obowiązki stron. ↩︎
3. stabilność  (f.)
   Stabilność oznacza stan, w którym coś jest trwałe, niewzruszone i pewne. ↩︎
4. przeciwnik  (m.)
   Przeciwnik to osoba lub grupa sprzeciwiająca się czemuś, mająca odmienne zdanie. ↩︎
5. firma  (f.)
   Firma to organizacja prowadząca działalność gospodarczą w celu osiągnięcia zysku. ↩︎
6. debata  (f.)
   Debata to publiczna dyskusja na dany temat, z wymianą argumentów przez uczestników. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What change was proposed to the bus transport law?

Question 2: Who believes that shorter contracts would help local companies?

Vocabulary

Polish	English
weto	vetoed
umowa  (f.)	contract
stabilność  (f.)	stability
przeciwnik  (m.)	opponent
firma  (f.)	company
debata  (f.)	debate

Read the full story

In recent days, the Polish government witnessed a heated debate following President Karol Nawrocki’s veto on proposed amendments to the bus transport legislation. The controversial decision is linked to the Bus Transport Development Fund (FRPA), a scheme originally established in 2019 to support bus connections, particularly in Poland’s rural and semi-urban areas.

The proposed changes, which were rejected by President Nawrocki, included a significant modification: reducing the duration of contracts under the fund from the current 10 years to a maximum of three years. This amendment was introduced during parliamentary committee discussions by Mirosław Suchoń from the opposition party Polska 2050. The proposal, after passing through both the Sejm and Senate without modifications, was ultimately vetoed by the president.

The presidential veto has drawn mixed reactions. Proponents of the veto, including Paulina Matysiak from the Left party, argue that long-term contracts provide essential stability for bus services, especially in less urbanized areas. Matysiak noted that shortening contract terms could lead to a reduction in the number of bus routes, thereby restricting access for many, including commuters and students relying on public transport. She highlighted that the transportation sector had long advocated for longer contracts to ensure sustainable financing and better quality service.

On the other hand, Mirosław Suchoń defended the initial proposal, suggesting that the new regulations would have expanded opportunities for Polish transport firms, including advancements in automated vehicle testing. He expressed concern that the veto represents a setback not only for the transport industry but also for potential regional economic integration. Suchoń implied that the government’s plans to “localize” the fund by transferring its administration to local governments could represent an evolved system, more tailored to regional needs.

As the debate continues, the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure has expressed its intent to reintroduce the amendment despite the presidential veto, signaling an ongoing tug-of-war between different governmental and parliamentary factions. The upcoming discussions are expected to address the balance between efficient public transport financing and the strategic vision for regional mobility.

Info: ‘Polish Learner News’ is a service from ‘Let’s Learn Polish’, a language school dedicated to helping students master the Polish language. We offer various types of online Polish courses, providing resources on how to learn Polish fast and effectively, making the learning process both efficient and accessible.