Steam locomotive Borsig Bn2t returns to Maltanka, MPK Poznań orders five new Iveco Thesi minibuses, and major transport changes begin across the city from 18 July.
Visitors and residents travelling around Poznań this weekend will notice plenty happening across the city’s transport network. From the welcome return of Poland’s oldest operational steam locomotive on the Maltanka Park Railway to the purchase of new neighbourhood minibuses and extensive tram and bus diversions linked to infrastructure works, there is plenty for passengers to consider.
Whether planning a family day out, commuting across the city or visiting Poznań for the weekend, these updates highlight both the city’s transport heritage and its ongoing investment in improving public transport.
Historic steam locomotive returns to Maltanka
One of Poznań’s most popular family attractions will once again be powered by steam this weekend.
The Borsig Bn2t steam locomotive, built in 1925, will return to service on the Maltanka Park Railway on 18 and 19 July following a comprehensive overhaul and internal boiler inspection. Despite approaching its centenary, the locomotive remains in excellent working condition and continues to be recognised as the oldest operational steam locomotive in Poland.
The locomotive recently completed a major refurbishment, ensuring it is ready for another season carrying passengers between the Maltanka and Zwierzyniec stations.
The Maltanka Park Railway operates every day throughout the season:
- Weekdays: every hour
- Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: every 30 minutes
- Services operate between 10:00 and 18:00
Steam Days are traditionally organised approximately every two weeks, allowing visitors to experience the historic locomotive in operation. During this weekend’s event, the Borsig Bn2t will depart Maltanka station on the hour and leave Zwierzyniec station 30 minutes later.
The Maltanka remains one of Poznań’s best-loved attractions, combining railway heritage with easy access to Lake Malta, the New Zoo and surrounding recreational areas. For families and railway enthusiasts alike, Steam Days continue to be among the highlights of the summer calendar.
MPK Poznań orders five new Iveco Thesi minibuses
MPK Poznań has signed a contract to acquire five new Iveco Thesi minibuses, with the option to acquire up to ten additional vehicles in the future.
The supplier, Ecovia Sp. z o.o., won the public tender announced last year. Delivery of the first five vehicles is expected by the end of November.
The new minibuses are intended for local routes serving residential neighbourhoods where standard buses cannot operate efficiently because of narrow streets, lower road weight limits or other infrastructure constraints.
Each vehicle will measure just over eight metres in length and accommodate up to 35 passengers, including 14 seated.
The specification includes:
- Low-floor access at the second door
- Wheelchair space with access ramp
- Full vehicle air conditioning
- CCTV monitoring
- Passenger information systems
- Advanced driver assistance technology
- Blind spot monitoring
- Visual and audible collision warnings
- Night detection systems for improved visibility
MPK currently operates Kapena 65C Urby vehicles alongside five Mercus minibuses, each carrying around 40 passengers. The new fleet represents another step in modernising services while improving accessibility across neighbourhoods that rely on smaller vehicles.
According to the Poznań Public Transport Authority (ZTM), minibus routes play a crucial role in connecting residential estates with major tram and bus corridors, encouraging the greater use of public transport while improving accessibility for residents living further from principal transport hubs.
Extensive transport changes begin on 18 July
Passengers should also prepare for significant changes across the tram and bus network from Saturday, 18 July, as several road works take place simultaneously.
New works begin at:
- Franowo tunnel
- Entrance to Franowo bus terminal
- Wierzbięcice transport junction
- Kraszewskiego Street
Existing infrastructure works continue at:
- Rondo Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego western exit
- Grunwaldzka near Promienista
- Grunwaldzka near Budziszyńska stops
- Zamenhofa between Rondo Starołęka and Osiedle Rzeczypospolitej stops
The combined projects require extensive temporary route changes affecting numerous tram and bus services throughout the city.
Among the most notable changes are:
- Tourist tram line 0 is suspended, with line 20 operating on selected dates instead.
- Tram lines 1, 2, 6, 10, 12, 13, 16 and 18 operate on revised routes.
- Tram line 15 remains suspended.
- Bus replacement route T1 will operate to serve Franowo.
- Replacement bus T6 continues along Grunwaldzka between Junikowo PKM and Rondo Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego.
- Bus routes including 125, 174, 177, 184, 190, 212, 218, 222 and 425 also operate with temporary alterations.
- Night service 201 receives increased frequency until 02:00 on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Night route 202 is suspended.
- Line 97 is suspended.
Passengers travelling through Franowo, Wierzbięcice, Grunwaldzka, Zamenhofa, Junikowo and several central corridors should allow extra journey time and check their routes before travelling.
The changes affect many of the city’s busiest interchange points and will remain in place while engineering works continue.
Detailed route maps and the latest service information are available on the official MPK Poznań website.
Weekend travel summary
This weekend illustrates two sides of Poznań’s transport story.
On one hand, the return of the historic Borsig steam locomotive offers residents and visitors a rare opportunity to experience an important piece of Poland’s railway heritage in regular operation.
On the other hand, MPK Poznań continues investing in modern, accessible vehicles while carrying out substantial infrastructure improvements designed to strengthen the city’s public transport network over the long term.
Although the engineering works will temporarily inconvenience passengers, they form part of ongoing efforts to modernise tracks, improve reliability and support future transport services across Poznań.
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