New carriages and modernized locomotives from Cegielski supply the PKP Intercity fleet
PKP Intercity has taken delivery of the first 8 of a total of 81 new coaches manufactured by the Poznañ-based H. Cegielski Railway Vehicles Factory owned by the Industrial Development Agency. The remaining vehicles will strengthen the national carrier's fleet until the end of the year. The value of the entire contract is PLN 697 million and its implementation is part of the largest investment programme in the history of the Company. The carrier's fleet was also strengthened by the first 2 modernised universal diesel locomotives of the new SU4220 series with the participation of the EU Funds.
- We all remember very well the difficult situation in which the Railway Vehicles Factory found itself just a few years ago. Today it is completely different: the order book is full, further contracts have been completed, and the market position and credibility have been regained. Thanks to our support and the determination of the staff, the legendary rolling stock manufacturer is back on track and has regained the trust of its contractors, as shown by the development of cooperation with PKP Intercity. Today the national carrier receives further vehicles created or modernised by Poznań," emphasises Cezariusz Lesławczyk
Cezariusz Lesisz, President of the Management Board of Industrial Development Agency JSC.
In the new cars passengers will benefit from comfortable seats, air conditioning, passenger information system and closed-circuit toilets. Each seat will have access to an electrical socket and individual lighting. In addition, mobile signal boosters and wireless internet facilities will be installed. The new wagons are fully compliant with the Technical Specifications for Interoperability, which enable efficient and effective movement on the trans-European rail network. They will also be suitable for speeds of 200 km/h.
-We are pleased that cooperation with PKP Intercity is developing harmoniously. The trust we have been granted results in modern and comfortable rolling stock for a greater number of passengers. We are very happy to be a part of the process of modernization of the national carrier's fleet - said Krzysztof Laskowski, CEO of H. Cegielski - Fabryka Pojazdów Szynowych sp. z o.o.
- We want to offer our passengers high and predictable standard of travelling. That is why we invest in modern rolling stock, thanks to which more and more routes are served by vehicles adjusted to the needs of various groups of passengers - says Marek Chraniuk, PKP Intercity CEO.
- New coaches mean not only a higher comfort of travelling, but also greater safety and reliability. We are aiming for an increasing proportion of our rolling stock to consist of new and modernized vehicles. In 2030, our fleet will consist entirely of such vehicles - announces Adam Laskowski, Member of the PKP Intercity Management Board.
PKP Intercity also received the first 2 modernised diesel universal locomotives of the new SU4220 series. They were created as a result of modernising classic SM42-series diesel locomotives. The vehicles received two modern internal combustion engines, fulfilling the Stage V exhaust-gas emission standard. A new solution, with which the locomotives were equipped, is a microprocessor control system improving the traction properties of the vehicles, as well as enabling a reduction in fuel consumption. The modernisation has increased the locomotives' operational safety and reliability. A total of 13 such vehicles will be delivered to the carrier. The gross value of the contract for repair of P5 with modernisation is PLN 90.3 million. The modernisation is co-financed under the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment 2014 - 2020, projects "Railway for good connections - modernisation of wagons and locomotives for PKP Intercity S.A." and "We accelerate comfortably - modernisation of wagons and purchase of locomotives for PKP Intercity S.A.". PKP Intercity signed a contract for this project with the Centre for EU Transport Projects (CUPT) in spring 2018. The carrier received co-financing in the total amount of PLN 653.8 million.
The implemented agreements are further examples of successful cooperation between PKP Intercity and H. Cegielski - Fabryka Pojazdów Szynowych. At the end of 2019, five months before the planned deadline, the manufacturer delivered to the carrier the last of the 90 modernised carriages of the 111A type, which after modernisation became 174A. The gross value of the order amounted to nearly PLN 410 million. In November 2020, the PKP Intercity fleet was reinforced by 10 modernised dining cars which were the result of periodical repairs on the 5th maintenance level together with the modernisation of 145Ab compartment coaches. The contract amounted to PLN 61.3 million gross. In total, as part of the ongoing investment programme, PKP Intercity concluded with the company from Wielkopolska contracts worth over PLN 1.25 billion gross.