Koleje Dolnośląskie, the Wrocław regional rail operator, awarded Pesa Bydgoszcz a contract to supply 5 five-car Elf2 electric multiple units. Within the next two years, the new EMUs will enter passenger operation on the Lower Silesia railway network.
PLN 145 million (EUR 32.4 million) is the value of the contract which is partly financed from the operator’s own resources, while the remaining would be covered from a loan and from EU funds under a contract signed with the Center for EU Transport Projects. The region’s authority became the guarantor of the investment loan that Koleje Dolnośląskie received for the train acquisition, and at the same time it will constantly monitor the delivery schedule.
Koleje Dolnośląskie seeks financial resources for the procurement of 20 additional Elf2 trains.
The contract is part of authorities’ plan to develop and promote the railway transport as the most greener transport mode and to reduce the road traffic in Lower Silesia.
“We strongly support the railway because it is fast, safe and sustainable transport mode. Taking over more railway routes and purchasing new trains are important elements of our strategy for the development of passenger rail transport. We want to provide access to it wherever it is possible, and this will be the purpose of our carrier’s new trains,” Cezary Przybylski, the Marshal of the Lower Silesia Voivodeship said, adding that without an efficient transport there is no dynamic development of the region.
The Elf2 electric multiple units will have 8 doors per trainset and will operate at speeds of 160 km/h. They will be equipped with safety and monitoring systems, air conditioning, Wi-Fi. The trains will accommodate the passengers with disabilities providing 2 places for wheelchairs and will have large spaces for bicycles and luggage. To protect the lives of passengers, the vehicles will be also fitted with AED defibrillators in case of cardiovascular diseases.
“The procurement of the five Elf2 electric multiple units will ensure a smooth traffic flow in the Wrocław region. The effective implementation of the EU-financed projects depends on the fulfillment of the most important conditions – the securing of the own funds and the on-time train delivery schedule. Knowing how important the purchase of new rolling stock is from the point of view of our transport strategy, we take further steps to ensure the implementation of this project,” the Deputy Marshal Marcin Krzyżanowsk noted.
The new trains will enter passenger operation on two lines: Oleśnica – Wrocław Główny – Siechnice – Jelcz-Laskowice and on the Wrocław Główny – Wrocław Wojnów – Jelcz-Laskowice.
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