Local governments and transportation organizers have renewed their appeals to the government. "The unfavorable trend continues."
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In 2023, the Parliament decided to grant public official status to drivers, tram drivers, train drivers and conductor teams in public transport.
Ticket inspectors were not included in this group, which is why local governments and transport organizers renewed their appeals to the government.
The Transport Organizers Forum argues that their work "has a real impact on passengers' ticket purchasing habits, and thus on cities' revenues from public transport." An efficient control system translates into the financial efficiency of transport and the comfort and safety of honest passengers.
Controller salaries vary across cities, and include base salaries, bonuses, and other benefits, including those for performance. Interest in the profession has improved in recent years, but Krakow, for example, faces significant staffing shortages.
Previously, until the regulations were amended in April 2023, it was not possible to initiate ex officio proceedings to prosecute a driver or conductor for causing bodily harm. They had to submit such a request themselves.
This was changed by the above-mentioned amendment to the Act on Railway Transport and the Act on Public Collective Transport, which made it possible to tighten the criminal liability of persons who violate the inviolability of persons performing the above-mentioned functions, commit active assault or insult during the performance of transport in public collective transport and in connection therewith .
Even then, industry representatives pointed out that the amendment omitted ticket inspectors (as well as traffic control staff) for some unknown reason. They appear particularly vulnerable to various types of verbal and physical attacks from fare-dodging passengers (and others). As recently as 2023, the Chamber of Commerce for Public Transport, among others, submitted a motion to expand the list of public officials to include ticket inspectors. However, this did not yield the desired results.
Transport Organizers' Forum Renews Appeal: "Sudden Increase in Negative Incidents"
The situation for controllers has not changed since the Civic Coalition (KO-Third Road-New Left) took power, despite further letters on the matter. More recently, in March of this year, the Transport Organizers Forum (an umbrella organization of entities organizing and supervising public transport in Poland's largest cities) sent another letter to Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak.
"Analyzing the number of acts of aggression against ticket inspectors performing their statutory duties, we conclude that in 2023-2024, there was a sharp increase in negative incidents by approximately 100% compared to previous years. The current situation in 2025 also suggests that this unfavorable trend continues, " they note in a letter to the Ministry of Infrastructure.
In 2023-2024, there was a sharp increase in negative events by approximately 100 percent compared to previous years, warns the Transport Organizers Forum (Photo: shutterstock.com/Andrey_Kl)
"We believe that ticket inspectors should be recognized as public officials, partly because they play an important role in ensuring the proper functioning of public transport, not only by checking tickets themselves, but also by ensuring that passengers comply with the regulations, " comments Aleksandra Frankowska, manager of the Gdańsk branch of Zakłady Wielobranżowe Renoma, the company responsible for ticket inspections in Gdańsk's public transport, among other areas.
Improving the safety of controllers, but also improving public order
He argues that the performance of their duties is in the public interest, and the powers granted to them to impose sanctions on passengers (additional fees) are, after all, a characteristic feature of public officials.
"However, this exposes inspectors to frequent aggressive responses from dishonest travelers. Recognizing them as public officials would curb this type of aggressive behavior," asserts Aleksandra Frankowska.
According to her, this would also improve public order.
- Giving them such a status is necessary - adds Andrzej Organiak, deputy director for systems at the Public Transport Authority in Gdańsk.
The management of other transport authorities, including those in Warsaw, Poznań, Kraków, Kielce, Rzeszów, and Lublin, share the same opinion . And it appears that the long-awaited changes will finally come into effect soon, as a relevant provision has been included in the draft amendment to the Public Transport Act.
We asked in selected cities what the employment situation for controllers is like, whether and to what extent there are shortages in this regard, how high the turnover is in these positions, and what remuneration they can expect.
Despite the difficult and demanding nature of this job, there is no shortage of people willing to take it in Poznań.
In Poznań, inspections are conducted by employees of the local Public Transport Authority (ZTM) and two external companies, BUS KONTROL and Trans Kontrol, but under the terms established by ZTM. In the case of the Poznań local government, these duties are performed by 39 inspectors employed under employment contracts.
"The current staffing levels of ticket inspectors employed in our unit allow for the effective implementation of ticket inspections. For external entities, such calculations are based solely on their needs," explains ZTM spokesman Bartosz Trzebiatowski. " The turnover rate among this professional group employed at ZTM is low. Despite the difficult and demanding nature of the job, we receive applications from individuals seeking to work as ticket inspectors."
Contracts of mandate at ZTM Kielce, mainly employment contracts at ZTM Warsaw
Kielce's Public Transport Authority (ZTM) employs 18 people as controllers, but on a contract basis. Director Barbara Damian claims that this number is sufficient to fulfill the tasks assigned to it, but if new candidates emerge, she doesn't rule out the possibility of signing additional contracts.
Director of ZTM in Kielce, Barbara Damian (right), claims that the number of 18 controllers is sufficient to carry out the tasks, but if new candidates appear, she does not rule out the possibility of concluding further contracts (Photo: Kielce City Hall)
"This year, we haven't recorded any resignations among ticket inspectors. However, interest in this position remains low, which is likely due to the nature of the duties, which often involve enforcing fares and interacting with passengers in difficult situations," emphasizes Barbara Damian.
In the case of ZTM in Warsaw, these are 94 full-time employees, 29 working on a contract basis, and 121 managers of Fast Urban Rail trains.
"The number of controllers is gradually increasing and adapting to needs," explains management spokesman Tomasz Kunert. "Turnover is low. It's mainly due to employee retirements, so we've hired eight people in 2025. However, there's interest. We always have candidates after a recruitment announcement."
150 controllers in the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis
In vehicles serving the lines organized by the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, approximately 150 people are responsible for ticket inspection.
"Some of them are employed by us, while others cooperate with another entity of the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis – Serwis GZM," says Michał Wawrzaszek, spokesman for the Metropolitan Transport Authority in Katowice. "At ZTM, we employ over 50 ticket inspectors under employment contracts. Serwis GZM, on the other hand, cooperates with over 90 ticket inspectors, primarily under contracts of mandate."
He estimates that he currently works with a sufficient number of ticket inspectors, although he still encourages those interested in this job to contact Serwis GZM.
"Interest in working as a ticket inspector is relatively high. The numbers confirm this. From September 2024 to March of this year, 26 people joined our team. And we're still receiving applications," notes Michał Wawrzaszek.
The metropolitan authority did not identify any differences in the turnover of ticket inspectors compared to other employee groups.
- However, it is increasingly noticeable that this work is undertaken by young people and people who have already been ticket inspectors in the past - the spokesman sums up.
They've increased the number of positions in Rzeszów. Both young and experienced professionals are employed.
15 controllers are employed at ZTM in Rzeszów, 13 of whom have employment contracts for an indefinite period.
"Over the past seven months, we've increased the number of full-time positions. In the future, we'll strive to increase this number even further," explains Director Łukasz Dziągwa.
The head of ZTM Rzeszów emphasizes that his team includes both very experienced controllers and young people who are just learning this profession.
Ticket inspections in Rzeszów public transport are performed by 15 people employed by ZTM (Photo: Public Transport Authority in Rzeszów)
"The turnover rate isn't high. Those with permanent contracts are very experienced and have been working with us for many years. Interest in controller jobs is definitely higher than it was two or three years ago, when it was negligible ," he emphasizes.
66 controllers in Krakow, but the management board has as many as 100 full-time positions. There's no shortage of them in Gdansk.
The Krakow Public Transport Authority employs 66 inspectors under employment contracts and 11 under contract contracts. However, it indicates a significant staffing shortage in this area.
"We are constantly recruiting to increase the number of inspectors. We anticipate creating up to 100 positions," says Sebastian Kowal of ZTP.
He points out that the work of a controller is not easy.
"Constant stress, working under time pressure, and the unpredictable behavior of some passengers result in high turnover among ticket inspectors. As an employer, we do everything we can to minimize turnover and ensure long-term employment, but this isn't always within our control. However, we continue to see significant interest in ticket inspector jobs and are hiring new people," he emphasizes.
Responsible for ticket inspections on ZTM Gdańsk lines for nearly 20 years, Zakłady Wielobranżowe Renoma employs over 50 people under employment contracts for this purpose.
"The number of controllers is sufficient for current requirements. Turnover in this industry is moderate. The influx of candidates is moderate, but not all those interested meet the requirements," explains Aleksandra Frankowska, manager of Renoma's Gdańsk branch, adding that it's an interesting profession, but it requires patience and stress tolerance.
The need for ongoing recruitment at the Lublin Public Transport Authority (ZDiTM) is growing. Controllers are resigning for various reasons.
The Road and Public Transport Authority in Lublin employs 22 controllers under employment contracts, 20 of which are for an indefinite period.
"Due to the territorial scope of the inspections—covering both the city and neighboring municipalities—and taking into account maternity leave, the vacation season, and sick leave, we need to continuously recruit for this position. However, this does not in any way impede the provision of appropriate ticket inspections," says ZDiTM spokesperson Monika Fisz.
Here too, turnover is not high, especially among controllers with many years of experience who remain in employment for years until they reach retirement age.
"Higher turnover occurs among new employees, who often resign after a short period of employment for various reasons. These include a personal belief that this form of employment isn't right for them, more favorable job offers in other industries, or family reasons," the spokesperson said.
Interest in recruitment is assessed as moderate.
"A group of about a dozen people usually respond to job postings, but only four or five people usually take the qualifying exam. Finding candidates who meet all the formal and substantive requirements is challenging, " admits Monika Fisz.
Ticket inspectors can count on this kind of salary. Great commitment pays off.
In Lublin, controllers earn an average of over PLN 5,500 gross (base salary plus seniority bonus) . This amount is obtained by dividing the total amount allocated to salaries by the number of employees in the previous month.
The basic remuneration components in Lublin include:
- basic salary,
- seniority allowance (depending on the length of employment),
- possible periodic reward for those achieving the best results,
- any allowances resulting from shift work.
For Poznań Public Transport Authority (ZTM), this consists of a base salary, a seniority bonus, and performance and quality bonuses. This resulted in an average gross salary of PLN 7,808.21 in June 2025 .
Greater efficiency will allow you to earn up to PLN 12,000 gross. Multi-component remuneration in Warsaw
"A ticket inspector's earnings include a commission for passenger-paid fare summonses for traveling without a valid ticket, as well as the number of people checked," explains Barbara Damian, director of the Public Transport Authority in Kielce, emphasizing that remuneration is task-based and depends on work results and the time spent checking tickets (employment is based on a contract of mandate - editor's note). "This means, with greater efficiency, the possibility of earning a significantly higher salary than the national minimum wage, up to approximately PLN 12,000 gross ."
The Warsaw Public Transport Authority (ZTM) did not calculate the average for the previous month. However, it did provide the following information on the remuneration components for the city's traffic controllers:
- gross basic salary - from PLN 4,666 to PLN 6,500 ;
- seniority allowance from 5 to 20 percent of the basic salary (so-called seniority allowance),
- additional annual remuneration (so-called 13th salary, in accordance with the Act of 12 December 1997 on additional annual remuneration for employees of public sector entities);
- commission on additional fees for traveling without a valid ticket;
- a discretionary component of remuneration, which is a motivational bonus.
On average, over PLN 7,000 gross in Katowice and Rzeszów
In the case of ZTM Katowice, from the end of 2024, the salary consists of: the minimum wage, a 10% bonus, a bonus for years of service plus the "thirteenth month" and commissions of PLN 40 and PLN 30 gross for fines paid within 14 days.
"The first amount applies to situations where the passenger did not have a ticket, and the second to situations where the passenger did not have a document entitling them to a discount. The average salary of our ticket inspectors in June was approximately PLN 7,500 gross," says Michał Wawrzaszek, spokesman for the metropolitan authority .
In Rzeszów, the average salary in June was PLN 7,147.30 gross . Here, full remuneration consists of: base salary, seniority bonus, commission for fines, and variable holiday pay.
The main salary for ZTP Kraków inspectors ranges from PLN 5,200 to PLN 5,800. This is supplemented by a discretionary bonus and a seniority allowance. "The salary therefore varies depending on length of service and commitment," explains Sebastian Kowal.
