Restrictions on regional passenger transport during epidemiological threat (COVID-19) – an example of the Lower Silesian Voivodship in Poland

The beginning of 2020 was associated with the appearance of the global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The spread of the epidemic caused the introduction of an epidemiological emergency in Poland in early March (on March 12). This resulted in reduced public transport, including regional rail transport. In Lower Silesia, this concerned regional and fast connections. The conducted analysis concerns regional connections and is based on exploration of the spatial and the quantitative aspect of these changes. The transport offer before and after the announcing of the epidemic was analysed. The results showed that most of the transport restrictions concerned the peripheries of the voivodeship (local routes). Agglomeration routes were much less affected by the restrictions. On some lines a decrease to less than 5 pairs of connections per day was recorded. Once the restrictions are removed, it may be a challenge to encourage passengers to use railways again. Despite the low number of connections on many routes, rail transport can still be considered as the basis of the transport system. This is due to the lack of an alternative bus service.