PKP Intercity has finalized a groundbreaking agreement with Newag to procure 63 cutting-edge multi-system electric locomotives, marking a momentous achievement for both the railway carrier and the Nowy Sącz-based locomotive manufacturer. The contract, valued at almost 2.3 billion Polish złoty gross, also includes an option for an additional 32 locomotives, potentially elevating the total contract value to nearly 3.5 billion złoty gross.
This represents PKP Intercity’s most substantial rolling stock contract to date, aligning strategically with their vision of cultivating a locomotive fleet exclusively capable of speeds between 160-200 km/h by the end of 2030, as articulated by Tomasz Gontarz, the Vice President of the PKP Intercity board.
The agreement extends to a comprehensive five-year maintenance service provided by Newag, with the manufacturer concurrently training PKP Intercity personnel to assume locomotive servicing responsibilities in the future.
Zbigniew Konieczek, President of Newag, delineated the delivery timeline, stating, “The initial two locomotives will be delivered to PKP Intercity within 24 months from the contract signing date, with the entire order slated for completion within 60 months.”
Designed to operate seamlessly on railway lines powered by varying voltage levels (3kV DC, 15kV AC, and 25kV AC), these state-of-the-art locomotives boast a maximum speed anticipated to be no less than 200 km/h. Newag is actively seeking approvals for these locomotives to traverse tracks in six countries, including Poland, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. Additionally, all locomotives will be equipped with the advanced ETCS level 2 system.
Over recent years, PKP Intercity has already commissioned a total of 127 electric locomotives, spanning single or multi-system and dual-mode capabilities. With this latest contract, the tally surges to 190, with the combined gross value of all locomotives, including options, reaching an impressive 5.5 billion złoty. The cumulative contracted value for the acquisition and modernization of rolling stock and station facilities is fast approaching the 11 billion złoty gross mark.
In reflecting on this strategic investment, Tomasz Gontarz emphasized PKP Intercity’s unwavering commitment to passenger transport, stating, “Our mission is to transport people. In the past year alone, we achieved a milestone by transporting 68 million passengers, the highest in our 20-year history. Surpassing the 70 million mark is anticipated in 2024, necessitating ongoing investment in our rolling stock.”