PKP Intercity has signed a contract with NEWAG of Nowy Sącz for the purchase of 20 electric locomotives. As part of the contract worth over PLN 500 million, Griffin locomotives will be delivered to supplement PKP Intercity’s rolling stock. The new vehicles will be used on domestic services.

“Today’s agreement is another step towards the development of PKP Intercity and increasing travel comfort. In these times, such contracts are extremely important for the development of the Polish economy. The last vehicle received in the previous order from NEWAG, was covered with graphics promoting the campaign “Buy consciously – A POLISH PRODUCT”. As can be seen, these were not empty declarations or image actions unsupported by deeds. PKP Intercity has already invested PLN 7.5 billion in the development of its rolling stock, and 99 % of this amount is spent on Polish manufacturers”, says Infrastructure Minister Andrzej Adamczyk.

The reinforcement of the carrier’s fleet with new vehicles will allow more efficient use of the national carrier’s resources. The signed contract is part of the investment strategy “PKP Intercity – Railway of Large Investments”, thanks to which the entire fleet will be new or modernised by 2030. The modern rolling stock will allow the company to meet the steadily growing demand for rail travel.

The tender will purchase single-system locomotives with an operating speed of 160 km/h. This will allow more efficient use of the carrier’s wagon fleet, which is steadily growing with new and modernised units. The new vehicles will operate on routes to Wrocław, Poznań, Gdynia, Olsztyn, Szczecin, Krakow, Katowice, Zielona Góra and Białystok.

Safe operation of the locomotives will be ensured by the ETCS (European Train Control System) safety system. Equipment enhancing the safety level of the locomotives will also include on-board diagnostic systems, video monitoring and a fire alarm system. The locomotives will also have GPS transmitters.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński