Lack of ID on the PKP - what are the passenger's risks? | PolishTrains

At a glance

• E-ticket holders must show a valid identity document during on-board checks
• The mObywatel app is accepted on domestic routes but not on international journeys
• Paper tickets without a passenger name do not require ID at inspection
• Concessionary ticket holders must prove their entitlement to the discount with a document
• A conductor can check ID but cannot confiscate or retain it under any circumstances
• Travelling without ID on a named ticket may result in the ticket being declared invalid

Do I need to carry an identity card when travelling by train and can the conductor check my identity card? It depends on the type of ticket. In the case of e-tickets purchased online, it is compulsory to show an identity document - the conductor must verify the passenger's details. Likewise for reduced tickets, where proof of entitlement to a discount is required. Check when exactly you need the document and what the consequences are if you do not have it.

Is it necessary to bring documents with you in all cases? Whether or not you will be required to show proof of identity depends largely on the type of ticket you have. If you have chosen to purchase a traditional paper ticket, where your name was not required, you are not required to show ID when checking your tickets. The situation is different for tickets bought online, where the booking itself requires personal details.

The electronic ticket usually contains the passenger's name and surname, so in order to check the correctness of the data, the conductor will ask the passenger to show an identity document. Such rules have been in place at the PKP for a long time and are designed to prevent several people copying and using the same ticket.

In what situations will the conductor ask for ID?

Does the conductor have the right to ask for ID? Yes, you will need to show an identity document during an on-board train check primarily in two situations:

• You are travelling with an e-ticket - most tickets purchased online include the passenger's name, so the conductor will require you to show ID to confirm this. This action is in line with the terms and conditions of carriage that each passenger accepts when booking a ticket. Importantly, this document must fully match the details on the ticket, so make sure they are correct at the time of purchase. By using sites such as PolishTrains, you have the option to save your details in your user profile, which allows them to be automatically completed each time you make a subsequent purchase, minimising the risk of error.
• You have a concessionary ticket - to confirm your entitlement to a discounted fare, you will need to show the relevant document. For example, if you are buying a ticket for a senior citizen, the conductor needs to see your ID card containing your personal details, including your age, to determine whether you actually belong to the correct age group for the discount.

Why does the conductor check your identity card?

Many passengers wonder why the conductor checks the ID card during the ticket check. The answer is mainly practical - identity verification helps to ensure that the right person is entitled to the discount. Student, pensioner or disabled person discounts are assigned to the individual passenger, not the card holder.

The conductor must therefore confirm that the concessionary or named ticket does indeed belong to the person presenting it. Document control is also crucial when issuing a summons for payment - when a passenger travels without a valid ticket, the data from the ID card is essential for the drawing up of a record and subsequent collection by the carrier.

Does every passenger have to show an identity document when buying group tickets?

No. According to PKP Intercity regulations, the carriage law requires an identity document to be presented by the person whose name appears on the ticket. In a situation where one person buys a joint ticket for several passengers, only that person has to show documents, the others do not have to do so. However, if a co-passenger benefits from a reduction (e.g. school, student, senior citizen), they too must provide proof of their personal details and entitlement to the reduction.

As we explained in the above section of this article, in many cases an identity document is necessary when travelling by train, especially if you purchase an electronic ticket. Such actions by the conductor are in line with PKP travel regulations and do not break data protection rules. If you want to be sure, when buying an online ticket, read the regulations regarding the requirement for personal data before you have to accept them.

Does the conductor have the right to ask for an identity card? Yes, especially for e-tickets. However, you should be aware that the conductor does not have the right to keep your identity card or order you to leave it with the train crew. Only Police and Border Guard officers have this right.

What type of ID can you show during a ticket inspection?

Have you bought your ticket online? You already know that when you made your purchase you accepted the terms and conditions, one of the conditions of which is that you must show an identity document during the on-board control. In addition to your identity card, you can also confirm your personal details with:

• Passport
• Driving licence
• Another document with a photo to prove your identity, such as a student or pupil card (in the case of reduced tickets).

It is important to know that any document without a photo must be presented together with an identity card or other document allowing proof of identity. Those wishing to take advantage of discounts on the basis of a pensioner's card, the Large Family Card or special certificates entitling to discounts (e.g. for disabled persons) must remember to have an additional document. Without this, the ticket may be invalid, as the conditions of carriage set out in the carrier's terms and conditions are not met.

Wondering whether showing your ID card is compliant with RODO? If the conductor asks you for your document during a ticket check, you will not be able to refuse, citing data protection legislation. What's more, this way of identifying a passenger does not in any way break the rules imposed by the Data Protection Authority. When travelling by train, this is the only way to verify the conformity of the data on the ticket.

**Showing an ID card vs. RODO - when is it not necessary to confirm personal data?**If you want to avoid showing your ID card, buy your ticket at a train ticket office or ticket machine. Ordinary paper single tickets, without any concessions, do not require you to show ID. However, if you have a concession or buy a season ticket, you will also be asked to confirm your details at the checkpoint.

The conductor carrying out the check on the train usually asks to see:

• A valid ticket (electronic or paper)
• Identitycard or other means of identification with photo (in the case of electronic tickets, with name and surname)
• Documentation entitling the passenger to a concession**(e.g. student card)** if the passenger uses a concession ticket. Holders of a student or pupil card with a photograph do not need to show any other proof of identity. The situation is different in the case of a pensioner's card or a Large Family Card, where it is not possible to verify identity accurately.

Lack of ID when travelling by train? There is one solution to this! You don **'**t always have to carry a physical ID card, as mobile ones are also recognised on trains. How can you always have your ID with you? Use the mCitizen app, where you can add an mIdentity, which acts as a virtual ID card.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to use this option if you don't have the app installed or if you haven't added an mIdentity before. It is therefore worth doing this in advance to avoid problems. Since we usually carry our phone with us, using the mCitizen app is the most convenient option to make travelling easier. Thanks to this solution, you don't have to worry about missing your ID when travelling by train, which makes travelling more comfortable and stress-free.

Lack of ID card - PKP travels on international routes

You will only benefit from the mCitizen app when travelling domestically, as it is not recognised outside Poland. If you choose to travel on international trains or foreign railways, you will need to carry a physical proof of identity (passport or identity card). What if you have forgotten your ID and do not have the mCitizen app? You must prepare yourself for the possible consequences of not having your ID card. The PKP in this situation will not recognise your ticket and the conductor can only offer you the purchase of a new ticket at full price.

When checking tickets purchased online, can I use the mCitizen app to confirm my identity?

Yes, when checking tickets purchased online e.g. through the PolishTrains website, you can use the mCitizen app to confirm your identity. It is also worth noting that purchasing tickets through PolishTrains is an extremely convenient solution for travellers. Thanks to this platform, all data is saved in the user's profile, which minimises the risk of booking mistakes. In addition, with the mobile app, all tickets are available directly on the phone.

Having an identity card or other identification document is essential when travelling by train, especially if you have bought an e-ticket. Furthermore, the need to show such a document is in line with the current RODO regulations. In addition, you should be aware that when you purchase an online ticket, you are required to provide personal data and accept the PKP regulations, which include provisions for such ticket control.

What happens if I refuse to show my ID during a train check?

If you are travelling with an e-ticket and refuse to show your ID, the conductor has the right to consider your ticket invalid. You may then be asked to purchase a new ticket at full price. Remember that by accepting the terms and conditions when you purchase your ticket online, you agree to your details being verified during the ticket inspection.

Instead of a school or student card, can I just show my ID if I have a discounted ticket?

No, an ID card alone is not sufficient. Can I show an ID card on the train instead of an identity card? Unfortunately not - in order to confirm your entitlement to a discount, you must show a document that proves your entitlement to the discount, such as a student or pupil card. Do I need an identity card for a normal ticket? No - with a non-discounted ticket, an identity document alone is sufficient.

What other forms of ID can the conductor accept besides the identity card?

When checking tickets, the conductor may also accept a passport, driving licence or other photo ID. Will a photo ID suffice on the train? No - the documents must be presented in original (physically or via the mCitizen app). A photo of the document on your phone is not accepted as proof of identity.