Regional railway company Koleje Małopolskie provided new comfortable trains and new routes thanks to EU funding. This has encouraged more local residents and tourists to use rail transport in Poland’s Małopolskie province.
- 11 January 2019
I regularly travel on Koleje Małopolskie trains. The new trains are not only attractive and comfortable, they are also equipped with practical solutions for travellers, like ticket machines, bicycle racks, electrical outlets and Wi-Fi. Journeys take place in a quiet and comfortable environment, which makes train travel more appealing – both for commuting to work and for leisure travel.
Poland’s regional Koleje Małopolskie rail service has developed a high-speed agglomeration railway that is both passenger- and environmentally-friendly, with the aim of increasing the volume of rail transport in the region.
The project enabled the purchase of 13 Electric Multiple Units (EMUs), including five IMPUS 45WE EMUs of five units each and eight IMPULS 31WE of four units each. The project also provided warranty, servicing and maintenance.
With the addition of these new high-quality and very comfortable trains, more and more people are using the railway service for their transportation needs. As a result, road congestion has decreased. Furthermore, the new trains are decreasing the sector’s environmental impact while also increasing passenger safety.
Sustainable and safe
The new IMPULS EMU trains are economical and safe, complying with the strictest European standards in crashworthiness and resistance (PRM, TSI NOI, TSI, LOC & PAS, TSI SRT and TSI CCS). Their electricity consumption is low due to their ability to recuperate energy from the overhead lines. The four-unit IMPULS 31WE trains have a seating capacity of 200 (including 16 folding chairs), while the five-unit IMPULS 45WE model has a seating capacity of 250 passengers (including 20 folding chairs). Both models provide all passengers with enhanced comforts such as quiet cars, air conditioning, ergonomic chairs, Wi-Fi and electrical sockets. The trains are also designed to accommodate passengers with disabilities and those suffering from reduced mobility. Other state-of-the-art features include a modern audiovisual passenger information system, interior monitoring, ticket machines and passenger counting system. Each train is equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and all employees receive training on first aid and using AEDs.
The project also established a new rail route for Koleje Małopolskie. The route, which connects the key economic and tourist hubs of Krakow Główny and Tarnów, makes rail transport a viable option for more people. As a result, the number of passengers using the regional service has increased. Additional routes are planned for the near future.
A proud history
Koleje Małopolskie, which operates the trains, was founded in 2013 and is owned by the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. The trains themselves are manufactured by Newag S.A., one of Poland’s oldest rolling stock companies with over 140 years of experience in the field.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Purchase of electric multiple units for the development of railway transport in Małopolskie Province” is PLN 305 217 550 (EUR 71 441 548), with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing PLN 175 717 855 (EUR 41 132 031) through the “Regional Operational Programme for Malopolska” for the 2014-2020 programming period.