DTP 2026: A Great Celebration of Public Transport in the Heart of Warsaw

What is it like to drive a train? Who spun the prize wheel and won an exclusive tour of the SKM depot? These questions were answered on 19 September in the heart of Warsaw, at Central Square in front of the Palace of Culture and Science, where a day full of transport-themed attractions awaited visitors of all ages. Admission to the event was free of charge.

At the SKM zone, everyone could find something to enjoy. Railway enthusiasts tested their skills behind the controller and competed for unique prizes, while younger visitors took part in games, workshops and a special meeting with Rogatek the Rhinoceros.

A Queue for Railways

Among our visitors were both dedicated railway enthusiasts and those simply curious to discover what happens behind the scenes of everyday rail travel.

One of the highlights was the prize wheel. With a single spin and a bit of luck, participants could win SKM gadgets, commemorative destination boards or archival timetables. The grand prize was an invitation to visit the SKM depot at 54 Potrzebna Street. We gave away as many as 20 double-entry passes!

In our interactive zone, visitors could sit behind the controls of a professional train driving simulator and see what a train driver’s job looks like in real life.

Creative Fun and a Meeting with Rogatek

Our youngest visitors enjoyed arts and crafts workshops, spectacular giant soap bubble shows, games and activities. Children let their imaginations run free, building tracks and structures from wooden blocks and learning about road signs.

Our zone also welcomed a very special guest. Rogatek the Rhinoceros took part in educational games and activities organised as part of the Railway ABC III Campaign, helping children learn about safe and responsible railway travel.

After an action-packed day, visitors could also relax in our dedicated chill-out zone. Deckchairs, beanbags and umbrellas in SKM colours proved extremely popular.

All of Warsaw Working Together

Public Transport Days are about much more than a single exhibition stand. Throughout the day, companies forming part of Warsaw’s public transport network presented their attractions at Central Square, including Tramwaje Warszawskie, Metro Warszawskie, Miejskie Zakłady Autobusowe and, of course, SKM. Visitors had numerous opportunities to have fun, experiment and explore public transport from a completely new perspective.

A soft-play traffic town introduced children to the principles of safe movement in urban spaces, while technology enthusiasts could meet a humanoid robot that knew everything about public transport in Warsaw. Younger visitors enjoyed the giant Giga Farm and Mega Obstacle Course, a mobile playground inside a bus, and XXL, LEGO and LEGO Duplo building blocks.

Particularly popular attractions included an AI-powered photo mirror, a miniature railway for children and a hand-operated rail trolley from the Grójec–Piaseczno Narrow-Gauge Railway.

Naturally, no public transport celebration would be complete without vehicles themselves. Visitors could admire historic buses at Central Square and historic trams along nearby Marszałkowska Street.

We Crowned Europe’s Best Tram Drivers

Excitement also surrounded the TRAM-EM European Tram Driver Championship, which took place on Marszałkowska Street on the same day. Twenty-six teams from twenty-four countries competed for the title, including hosts from Warsaw, representatives of MZK Gorzów Wielkopolski, participants from European cities and even a team from Melbourne, Australia.

The competition was won by the team from Prague, followed by Oradea in second place and Sofia in third. Warsaw finished in thirteenth place, while Gorzów Wielkopolski secured twelfth place.

Participants had to demonstrate not only precision in driving a tram, but also reflexes, observation skills and vehicle control. The eight challenges included tram bowling, basketball, precision braking, speed control and reverse driving guided by whistle commands.

A Second Day Behind the Scenes

For the most curious railway enthusiasts, Public Transport Days did not end on Saturday. On the second day of the event, the lucky winners of the grand prize on the SKM prize wheel had a unique opportunity to visit areas normally inaccessible to the public.

The holders of the double-entry passes visited our depot at 54 Potrzebna Street.

Participants were given behind-the-scenes access to the technical and stabling hall, where trains undergo inspections and maintenance, and had the opportunity to see how our modern train wash operates. It was a unique chance to discover what daily train maintenance looks like and how much work is required to keep the SKM fleet ready for service.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and shared this special time together.

See you on the rails!