Acquisition of new eco-friendly rolling stock for regional rail passenger transport is a step to develop clean urban transport while providing a boost to local economy by increasing labour mobility.
- 05 November 2015
Thanks to the new rolling stock the quality of public transport and popularity of regional railways has increased significantly. A lot of people started to choose railways over cars which contributes to the reduction of CO2 emission and environment safety. We are very happy that we can provide public transport that meets with the European standards.
Twenty-two electrically powered trainsets which can carry almost 10 000 passengers have been bought for Koleje Wielkopolskie (Greater Poland Railways) as a result of an EU co-funded project.
The new railway wagons are air-conditioned, equipped with a power supply for mobile devices and adjusted to the needs of disabled. The electric rolling stock can also develop a speed of 160 km/h.
Less pollution
These new vehicles have significantly improved the comfort of passenger’s travel and safety. Because the new trains meet all European technical and environmental standards the purchase led to a visible reduction of the operating costs, travel time and ecological burden.
Thanks to the larger number of rolling stock, Koleje Wielkopolskie could start to operate to and from new destinations: Poznań – Konin - Kłodawa – Kutno, Poznań – Zbąszynek, Poznań – Gniezno and Poznań – Mogilna which has positively influenced the level of citizens’ mobility in the region and reduced the amount of car journeys.
Equal opportunities
The project had a positive impact on the provision of equal opportunities for women and men and those who are in a difficult living situation, for example with respect to employment, by improving mobility through access to public transport.
Technical parameters of vehicles (sliding doors, lowered doorsteps, ramps, fastening systems) enable those in wheelchairs to use the transport. The project also contributed to the improvement of access of rural communities to urban areas.
All the new railway wagons have been bought in one of the biggest Polish rolling stock producing companies, PESA Bydgoszcz, which is now selling its rolling stock all over Europe.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Acquisition of rolling stock for regional rail passenger transport” is EUR 110 749 802, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 38 267 208 from the Operational Programme “Greater Poland” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.