PKP Intercity has been benefiting from EU funding for 12 years. During this time, the national carrier has obtained a total of PLN 3.16 billion, which has supported projects worth PLN 7.71 billion. This has enabled the modernisation and purchase of trains as well as the reconstruction and retrofitting of infrastructure facilities.

In total, since 2011, thanks to EU funding, PKP Intercity has modernised 553 wagons and 33 diesel locomotives. Support from the EU has also enabled the purchase of 45 new wagons, 10 diesel locomotives, 20 electric locomotives and 60 electric multiple units.

One of the first purchases using EU funds was the ED250 (Pendolino) electric multiple units. The appearance of the new trains on Polish tracks allowed the creation of a new service category – Express InterCity Premium. In addition, 20 PesaDART and 20 FLIRT units were purchased, and carriages and locomotives were also modernised.

Since 2014, two projects have been implemented, which are partly financed by EU funds. Their total gross value is more than PLN 2.5 billion and the level of co-financing is PLN 1.01 billion. By the end of the year, PKP Intercity will have received PLN 907 million, which is almost 90 % of the co-financing.

The carrier’s rolling stock has been strengthened by 355 modernised carriages, including compartment and non- compartment carriages and COMBO carriages, which increase rail accessibility for people with disabilities and allow travelling with bicycles. Using the funding, PKP Intercity also purchased 20 EU160 Griffin electric locomotives and modernised 13 diesel locomotives.

EU funding also allows for the modernisation and expansion of stop stations. The redevelopment of sidings in Olsztyn and Kołobrzeg has been completed, and modernisation work is progressing at the Szczecin Zaleskie Łęgi halting station and the Wrocław Główny station, where construction of a modern train washing facility has begun.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński