PKP Intercity has awarded Alstom Polska the contract for the construction of 42 double-decker trains, which will reach a speed of 200 km/h.
The Chorzów-based company’s offer amounted to 4.1 billion zł for the vehicles (963 million euros) and around 2.8 billion zł (658 million euros) for their maintenance for 30 years, some 400 million zł (94 million euros) cheaper than that of its competitor Stadler Polska.
The new trains will be destined to reinforce economy Intercity services on highly demanded routes such as those linking Warsaw with Gdansk, Krakow, Wroclaw or Łódź.
Each train will offer more than 500 seats and will have ergonomic seats, WiFi connection, power sockets, air conditioning, space for bicycles and large luggage, as well as specific areas for children, people with reduced mobility and a “quiet zone”.
The Chorzów factory, one of Alstom’s most technologically advanced in Europe, according to the manufacturer, will take over production. The site currently employs 2,500 workers and manufactures trains for operators in Ireland, Romania, and Germany. The first passengers are expected to be able to travel on these trainsets within three and a half years.