PKP Intercity presented at the TRAKO 2021 fair in Gdansk one of the special cars produced for the Polish army. The carriages were ordered by the company on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and manufactured at the “Cegielski” Railway Vehicles Factory in Poznań. The contract value amounted to PLN 106.4 million gross.
Special cars are designed to transport soldiers and military equipment. The “Cegielski” factory from Poznań, boasting over a century of tradition, has been closely cooperating with PKP Intercity for years on rolling stock modernization and replacement.
“The fact that FPS >>Cegielski<<, a factory which not long ago was to be liquidated, is the producer of these innovative cars deserves recognition. This is an effect of a consistently pursued policy of the government, which believes in the huge potential of Polish technical thought and invests in entities with Polish capital," said Andrzej Adamczyk, the Minister of Infrastructure.
In the presented carriage there are racks for backpacks, social rooms or sleeping places, there is air conditioning, LCD screens and a passenger information system. The highest standard is expected to attract the interest of defence departments of other NATO countries, making it an attractive export commodity. This was mentioned by Maciej Małecki, the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of State Assets, who pointed out that new orders mean higher revenues for Polish producers and subcontractors.
“Today, companies of the State Treasury, such as PKP Intercity, not only develop dynamically, recording the best results in years and meeting the needs of individual customers but also pursue strategic objectives of the state, such as defence or security. I am proud that at Trako 2021 we can admire so many examples of Polish technical thought because behind each of them there are jobs in our country,” Małecki argued.
Marek Chraniuk, President of the Board of PKP Intercity emphasized that the company is of particular economic and defensive importance and performs tasks resulting from this area as well.
“PKP Intercity, in addition to providing passenger transport, also carries out tasks related to national defence. Thanks to this project, we can donate eight specially adapted wagons – six for transporting soldiers and officers and two for transporting a convoy. As a company, we will be responsible for their maintenance. The cars will also have the homologation for some countries, for the needs of troops of other NATO member states” – said Marek Chraniuk.
During the 14th. During the TRAKO International Railway Fair, which took place on 21-24 September in Gdańsk, PKP Intercity marked its presence. The company, celebrating its 20th anniversary, besides presenting special wagons for the Polish army, presents its achievements and plans concerning the reduction of CO2 emissions, modernization of railway infrastructure and introduction of innovative digital solutions for passengers.