PKP Intercity awarded coach repair and modernisation contracts for 500 vehicles totalling PLN 862.4 million (EUR 201.5 million).
The largest contract was signed with PKP Intercity Remtrak that will perform maintenance activities at the P3 and P4 levels* of 450 railcars with a value of PLN 401.4 million (EUR 93.8 million). Vehicle maintenance activities are to be carried out at repair plants in Idzikowice, Warsaw and Opole.
Maintenance activities at the above-mentioned levels will cover 34 types of different coaches, including: 1st and 2nd class compartment carriages, 2nd class compartmentless carriages including the ones adapted for transport of bicycles, and compartment carriages with seats for people with disabilities, dining, sleeping and couchettes cars.
At the beginning of 2024, PKP Intercity wanted to conduct market research to check the capabilities of repair plants and rolling stock manufacturers, as well as to determine the value of the project. None of the companies providing coach repair and modernisation responded to the request for information. Therefore, the carrier decided to outsource repairs at the P4 level and inspections at the P3 level to PKP Intercity Remtrak, Jarosław Oniszczuk, member of the management board of PKP Intercity explained. In recent years, work has been underway to modernise PKP Intercity Remtrak plants to carry out repair and maintenance activities for different car types and a larger number of orders means the development of the company and stability for employees.
PKP Intercity’s subsidiary Remtrak was also awarded in September 2023 a contract to modernise 330 railcars worth EUR 45.7 million. This contract also includes the delivery of periodic inspections. All coach repair and modernisation activities will be carried out at Idzikowice plant in Libiszów (Łódź Voivodeship) which has been expanded under a EUR 30 million investment to become operator’s leading technical base. The plant development project covered the construction of two halls for repair activities for wheelsets, coaches and bogies, P5 and P4 level maintenance services for passenger carriages and electric locomotives respectively. This expansion allow PKP Intercity to carry out 70% of repairs for P5 maintenance services and 100% of repairs on the P4 level maintenance services and repairs of wheelsets, while about 60% of P3 and P4 maintenance levels for all types of railcars and electric locomotives.
The second contract was signed with H. Cegielski – Fabryka Pojazdów Szynowych (the Poznań-based FPS Cegielski) for repair and modernisation activities for 50 112A multi-functional Combo carriages that will be transformed into these universal vehicles. This contract is part of a tender launched in December 2023 for periodic repair and maintenance at P5 level along with modernisation and inspection at P3 level for which the winner submitted the most advantageous offer worth PLN 461 million (EUR 107.7 million). The contractor has 36 months from signing the contract to complete the order.
“Together with PKP Intercity, we are making Polish railways develop and passengers can travel in increasingly better conditions. Combo coaches are part of broader cooperation in this area. This is also another contract for the supply of rolling stock signed by us this year. The latest orders are part of our long-term vision for the development of both the company and the Polish railway industry,” said Marcin Rodek, the President of the Management Board of H. Cegielski – Fabryka Pojazdów Szynowych.
PKP Intercity is investing in expanding its rolling stock with Combo wagons. At the end of last year, the company signed a contract for the modernisation of 45 carriages to this standard. The contractor was PKP Intercity Remtrak, belonging to PKP Intercity. The value of this contract is PLN 335 million (EUR 78.3 million). Vehicles from both contracts will enrich the carrier’s rolling stock, which already uses 60 such railcars. PKP Intercity will ultimately have 155 units of this type.
In November 2023, H. Cegielski Fabryka Pojazdów Szynowych was also awarded a contract to repair and modernise intercity coaches.
Combo coaches are vehicles that comprehensively meet the expectations of passengers being adapted to transport bicycles, to provide special places for children and family and to facilitate access for travellers with disabilities which benefit two full-size seats and two places for wheelchairs, equipped with three-point seat belts, SOS buttons, lighting and air conditioning control panels and tables.
Depending on the seat in the carriage, passengers use individual or four-person tables. They have electrical and USB sockets and wireless Internet access at their disposal. A modern passenger information system displays travel times, stopping stations and temperature. Combo vehicles are also fitted out with two vending machines with drinks and snacks on board.
In addition, in 15 out of 60 previously put into service and modernised by Pesa Bydgoszcz the process of installing vending machines is ongoing. Their annual testing period will begin in April and May. Combo carriages equipped with vending machines will be in eight trains running on routes throughout the country.
“Investing in this type of vehicles is a decisive step towards a modern railway, which is expected to be a comfortable and safe journey, available to everyone,” Jarosław Oniszczuk said.
Rolling stock investment plan
PKP Intercity consistently implements its rolling stock modernisation and renewal strategy and has signed contracts totalling PLN 11.5 billion (EUR 2.68 billion). More than 900 carriages, 167 locomotives and 14 EMUs have been modernised while 81 new coaches, 43 new locomotives and 12 new EMUs are acquired.
The company has many investments contracted with Polish producers, of which PLN 2.04 billion (EUR 476.6 million) are investments signed with FPS Cegielski. The others include: PLN 2.97 billion (EUR 693.9 million) with Pesa Bydgoszcz and PLN 4.99 billion (EUR 1.1 billion) with Newag from Nowy Sącz.
In March, the tender for the purchase of 300 new railcars was concluded and includes options for up to 150 vehicles. The EUR 982 million contract was signed with FPS Cegielski and if options will be exercised, EUR 1.47 billion is the total value of the contract.
With the latest two coach repair and modernisation contracts, the total value of PKP Intercity’s investment reaches more than PLN 15 billion (EUR 3.5 billion).
PKP Intercity has a total of 2,059 carriages, of which 265 are vehicles adapted to a speed of 200 km/h. Of these railcars, 130 are in operation, 133 coaches in mandatory inspection and repair cycle and in modernisation at levels P1 to P5 levels.
In the case of carriages able to run at up to a speed of 160 km/h, 404 vehicles are subject to modernisation and a mandatory inspection and repair cycle at levels P1 to P5. PKP Intercity planned to send another 205 coaches to rolling stock repair plants.
* In Poland, rail vehicles are serviced at five levels (from P1 to P5). Inspections and repairs of P1-P3 levels are carried out on a daily basis. P4 type repairs are performed every 3-5 years. The highest level P5 repairs are performed every 12-20 years and are aimed at modernising the vehicle (all components and bodies are being replaced and the standard is being raised).
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