The value of EU funds obtained by PKP Intercity for rolling stock and infrastructure has amounted to PLN 3.16 billion from 2011 to date, the carrier said.
PKP Intercity effectively acquires and uses EU funds. For 12 years, the national carrier has obtained a total of PLN 3.16 billion in subsidies, which supported projects worth PLN 7.71 billion. In total, since 2011, thanks to EU funding, PKP Intercity has modernized 553 train cars and 33 diesel locomotives. Support from the EU also allowed the purchase of 45 new railcars, 10 diesel locomotives, 20 electric locomotives and 60 electric multiple units, according to a company announcement.
PKP Intercity began using EU funds in 2011, and the first financial perspective focused on strengthening the rolling stock fleet, it recalled. One of the first purchases using the funds was ED250 (Pendolino) electric multiple units. The appearance of the new trains on Polish tracks allowed the creation of a new service category – Express InterCity Premium. In addition to Pendolino, 20 units each of PesaDART and FLIRT were purchased, and train cars and locomotives were modernized.
Since 2014, two projects have been underway, partly financed by EU funds. The investment projects “Rail for good connections – modernization of railcars and locomotives for PKP Intercity S.A.” and “Accelerating comfortably – modernization of wagons and purchase of locomotives for PKP Intercity S.A.” are co-financed by the Cohesion Fund under the Infrastructure and Environment Operational Program. The total value of the projects is more than PLN 2.5 billion gross, and the level of co-financing is more than PLN 1.01 billion. By the end of this year. PKP Intercity will receive PLN 907 million, which is nearly 90% of the funding for both projects, it was also reported.
The carrier’s fleet of rolling stock has been strengthened by 355 modernized railcars, among them compartment and compartmentless railcars and COMBO railcars, which increase rail accessibility for people with disabilities and allow travel with bicycles. Using the funding, PKP Intercity also purchased 20 EU160 Griffin electric locomotives and modernized 13 diesel locomotives.
EU funds also allow for the modernization and expansion of the carrier’s infrastructure, namely stop stations. The rebuilding of sidings in Olsztyn and Kolobrzeg has been completed, and modernization work on the Szczecin Zaleskie Łęgi stabling station is also progressing. The siding in Kraków will gain a modernized compressed air network and water installation. The third stage of the modernization of the Wrocław Główny stabling station is already underway, and in recent weeks construction of a modern train eco-washing facility began. A similar facility is already operating in Warsaw, and another car wash will be built in Krakow. In total, PKP Intercity will have 7 eco-friendly facilities to keep the rolling stock clean. The Warsaw Olszynka Grochowska stopping station has gained washing facilities and a track lathe thanks to subsidies. Using EU funds, PKP Intercity also purchased 7 rail-road vehicles, which are used at the stopping stations in Gdynia, Krakow, Przemyśl and Warsaw, PKP IC lists.
“The largest-ever investment program we have been implementing for several years is bringing an increasingly higher quality of travel for passengers and continued development of the company. The European funds we acquire have a large share in this. We attach great importance to using them effectively. With further investments in mind, we are constantly monitoring the possibility of obtaining further EU funds,” said Board member Tomasz Gontarz.
PKP Intercity is Poland’s largest long-distance rail carrier. In 2021, it had about 35.5 million passengers, an increase of nearly 9 million year-on-year.
Source: PKP and ISBnews
