PKP Intercity and Newag signed a framework agreement for the supply of 35 hybrid multiple units which will allow the rail operator to restore some connections, but also to expand the transport offer on non-electrified lines. The signing comes after PKP Intercity announced its decision to award Newag the contract that was the single bidder in the tender for the delivery of the electro-diesel fleet launched in December 2023.
The first two multiple units will be handed over to PKP Intercity 30 months after signing the contract with the manufacturer. According to the order, the contractor guarantees the maintenance of the vehicles for 10 years of use, which will be provided with the participation of the carrier’s employees. Newag presented a bid with a value of PLN 3.36 billion (EUR 788.3 million), almost the same budget that PKP Intercity allocated for this project.
The procurement of these trains “is a response to the transport demand, primarily for comfortable journeys on our trains from smaller cities in Podlasie, Lublin and Podkarpacie. The agreement is another step towards rolling stock investments, which are to prepare PKP Intercity for the period of transport liberalisation. So far, the cooperation between the carrier and the manufacturer from Nowy Sącz has been very successful, which allows us to assume that the project of dual trains will also prove to be another success,” Dariusz Klimczak, Minister of Infrastructure, said.
The new electro-diesel multiple units will offer 178 seats, with 154 in second class and 20 in first class, and will be adapted to passengers with reduced mobility – with 4 seats for people with disabilities and their caregivers, as well as for the cyclists providing 8 bicycle racks.
The new trains will be equipped with air conditioning, ergonomic seats and electrical sockets at the seats. Travel safety will be ensured by the European Train Control System ETCS.
“We are glad that modern hybrid vehicles manufactured by Newag will be used by PKP Intercity. Thanks to the advanced technologies used in these vehicles, passengers will experience a significant increase in travel comfort, and the internal combustion engine meeting the latest exhaust emission standards will enable their operation on non-electrified routes,” said Zbigniew Konieczek, President of the Management Board of Newag.
The new hybrid multiple units will operate on domestic routes in the InterCity category and will run on the rail network of the Zamość region in southeastern Poland part of Lublin Voivodeship, as well as in Podlaskie Voivodeship. The targeted routes, among others are routesto Hajnówka, Zamość, Hrubieszów, Mielec, Zagórze, Krosno, Jasło, Nysa, Jelenia Góra, Gorzów Wielkopolski and Chojnice and the long-distance connections will ultimately also serve Ostrołęka and Łomża.
PKP Intercity and Newag have a long history in the supply of rolling stock. In March 2023, the two companies signed a contract for the delivery of 20 Griffin electric locomotives. In 2021, the companies also signed a contract for the supply of 10 new multi-system electric locomotives including an option which was exercised in June 2023.
The Polish long-distance rail operator is investing in its fleet by acquiring new vehicles and modernising its existing units. The strategy will be implemented until 2030 and will establish a new travel standard in Poland with trains running at speeds from 160 km/h to up to 200 km/h.
The new and modernised fleet will allow PKP Intercity to increase the number of passengers by 88 million passengers in 2030 with a daily service average ensured by 800 trains. An investment of EUR 5.8 billion will be provided to renew the rolling stock, of which EUR 5 billion will be used to purchase new carriages and locomotives.
The implementation of the strategy will help PKP Intercity to increase its locomotive fleet by 11% to 429 vehicles and its EMU fleet by 47%. Besides the 35 hybrid multiple units, the programme covers the procurement of 35 EMUs, 162 electric locomotives, 926 coaches, 38 seven-car push-pull double-decker trains, 45 multi-system electric locomotives, 16 hybrid locomotives and 28 shunting locomotives.
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