The purchase of 20 electric-powered train units (EMUs) promises to improve the quality of rail services across a variety of regional routes in Poland. The new rolling stock offers high levels of passenger comfort, which should encourage more people to travel by rail instead of road.
- 02 September 2015
The EMUs are being used by PKP Intercity S.A. on a number of their key inter-regional passenger services including:
Jelenia Góra to Białystok and Lublin via Wrocław, Łódź and Warsaw; andBiałystok/Lublin to Bielsko-Biała via Warsaw, Koluszki, Częstochowa and Katowice.As well as providing commuters with better services, those living alongside the routes on which the trains operate benefit from reductions in pollution and noise emissions. The investment is also expected to generate time savings of around EUR 6 million/year in 2016.
Comfort and safety
Each air-conditioned EMU provides seating for 352 passengers, including 60 in first class. They are capable of travelling at maximum speeds of 160 km/h and are equipped with a number of features to make life easier for passengers.
Doors are electrically operated and low floors allow for wheelchair access. Each unit has six toilets including one that is adapted to the needs of disabled people and those with reduced mobility. Power supply points have been installed so travellers can charge their laptops and mobile phones.
In addition, the units have been fitted with panic and emergency call buttons as well as CCTV for passenger safety. The EMUs are also equipped with the level two European Train Control System (ETCS), which provides advanced safety levels.
In the long term, making train travel a more attractive option should bring a range of socio-economic benefits to Poland’s transport network including reductions in road accidents, congestion and emissions.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Purchase of electric multiple units for PKP Intercity S.A. - Phase II” is EUR 193 486 221, of which the EU’s Cohesion Fund is contributing EUR 154 788 977 from the Operational Programme “Infrastructure and Environment” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period. Work falls under the priority “Environment Friendly Transport”.