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Metropolitan Transport Authority

Metropolitan Transport Authority (Polish: Zarząd Transportu Metropolitalnego, ZTM) is a municipal unit of Metropolis GZM, established on 22 November 2017 to organize, manage, and supervise local public transport across the cities of the metropolitan union, municipalities with signed agreements, and neighboring municipalities (a total of 57 cities and municipalities). It is the largest public transport authority in Poland by area.

History

Metropolitan Transport Authority was established on 22 November 2017 by the GZM Assembly through resolution No. III/16/2017. On the same day, resolution No. III/17/2017 granted it a statute. On 1 January 2019, Metropolitan Transport Authority assumed the responsibilities of the previous transport authorities in the region: , , and .

In January 2019, Małgorzata Gutowska was appointed director of Metropolitan Transport Authority.

Area

Metropolitan Transport Authority provides services across the following 57 cities and municipalities:

Metropolitan Transport Authority operates a network of over 500 transport lines (buses, trams, trolleybuses) serving nearly 7,000 stations. Approximately 1,500 vehicles operate daily under the Metropolitan Transport Authority brand. Passengers can track real-time departures using around 550 Dynamic Passenger Information System (SDIP) boards. SDIP is a main component of passenger information, displaying departure times, transport updates, and air quality information. New boards include cameras to enhance safety at stops.

Operators

Metropolitan Transport Authority's transport lines (buses, trams, trolleybuses) are operated by enterprises:

Additionally, these and other operators form consortia. In total, Metropolitan Transport Authority contracts over 20 entities, including consortia, to operate its lines.

Tickets

Metropolitan Transport Authority offers single-use (short-term) tickets in time-based formats (20, 40, and 90 minutes). Multi-ride tickets (20, 40, or 80 rides, valid for 180 days) can be encoded on the Silesian Public Services Card or online applications. Medium-term tickets include daily (valid on the day of activation), 24-hour, and 7-day tickets. Long-term tickets are available for 30, 90, or 180 days.

The full ticket range, including season tickets, can be purchased via the dedicated Metroappka Transport GZM app introduced in 2024.

Metrotickets

Metrotickets are personalized monthly tickets allowing unlimited travel on Metropolitan Transport Authority services and Koleje Śląskie trains within the GZM area (depending on the ticket type, excluding special-fare or commercial trains). Two variants (Red and Whole Metropolis) also allow unlimited travel on the Katowice–Sławków route operated by POLREGIO (excluding special-fare or commercial trains).

Passengers can choose from seven Metroticket variants (standard and discounted): Katowice Zone, five color-coded zones (Red, Blue, Orange, Green, Yellow), and a Whole Metropolis ticket.

Metroticket variants

Source:

  • Katowice Zone – valid within Katowice city: Metropolitan Transport Authority public transport and all Koleje Śląskie railways.
  • Yellow – valid across the entire Metropolitan Transport Authority network and Koleje Śląskie railway sections: –Katowice Zone (inclusive) and Bytom–Gliwice.
  • Green – valid across the entire Metropolitan Transport Authority network and Koleje Śląskie railway sections: Gliwice–Katowice Zone (inclusive), –Gliwice.
  • Red – valid across the entire Metropolitan Transport Authority network and Koleje Śląskie railway section – Katowice Zone (inclusive), plus the POLREGIO section Katowice–.
  • Blue – valid across the entire Metropolitan Transport Authority network and Koleje Śląskie railway section –Katowice Zone (inclusive).
  • Orange – valid across the entire Metropolitan Transport Authority network and Koleje Śląskie railway sections: Tychy Lodowisko–Katowice Zone (inclusive), –Katowice Zone (inclusive), –Katowice Zone (inclusive).

Purchasing a color-coded zone ticket automatically includes access to the Katowice Zone.

Development and service quality

Metropolitan Transport Authority, beyond ongoing changes due to roadworks or new infrastructure, develops long-term modernization and improvement plans for its network.

Metropolitan Transport Authority metrolines

As of February 2024, 32 metropolitan lines ("Metrolines") operate within Metropolis GZM, managed by Metropolitan Transport Authority:

Awards

In 2021, Metropolitan Transport Authority received the Friendly Employer 2020 award from the National Employee Trade Union Konfederacja Pracowników for balancing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with employee well-being and safety.

In 2023, Metropolitan Transport Authority won the national Masz Głos competition organized by the Stefan Batory Foundation, recognized in the Super Samorząd category for collaboration between local communities and municipal authorities.

Management

The director of Metropolitan Transport Authority is Małgorzata Gutowska. Operations are coordinated by: Krzysztof Dzierwa (Deputy Director for Administration), Aleksander Sobota (Deputy Director for Transport), Adam Sujkowski (Deputy Director for Controlling), and Chief Accountant Ewa Długosz.

References