1. Alstom Poland Wins Bid with Total Cost Advantage Over Competitors
PKP Intercity, Poland's intercity railway operator, has selected Alstom Poland as the preferred bidder to deliver 42 sets of double-decker electric multiple units (EMUs) and provide long-term maintenance services. The scale of this cooperation contract is significant: the rolling stock procurement part is valued at 4.1 billion Polish zloty (approximately €910 million), the 30-year maintenance service cost is nearly 2.8 billion Polish zloty (approximately €620 million), and the contract also includes an option to purchase an additional 30 train sets.
Two companies submitted proposals for this tender: in addition to Alstom Poland (which plans to produce the trains at its Chorzów factory), there was also Stadler Poland, based in Siedlce. Although Stadler's rolling stock procurement quotation was slightly lower (4 billion Polish zloty), its maintenance cost was as high as 3.3 billion Polish zloty, resulting in a total quotation nearly 400 million Polish zloty (approximately €89 million) higher than Alstom's. The procurement evaluation also took into account multiple indicators such as energy consumption and delivery cycle. Currently, the next step is to finalize the final contract with Alstom, which will subsequently build these double-decker EMUs for PKP Intercity at its Chorzów factory.
2. After Two Tender Cancellations, New Trains Focus on High-Demand Long-Distance Routes
This tender marks the third time PKP Intercity has promoted the procurement of double-decker trains. It previously launched tender processes for push-pull double-decker trains in 2021 and 2023, but both were terminated due to budget overruns. The quotation for the most recent cancelled project reached 6.5 billion Polish zloty (approximately €1.44 billion), exceeding the established budget by more than 2 billion Polish zloty.
The newly procured double-decker trains have a designed maximum operating speed of 200 km/h and are specifically intended for high-demand long-distance routes within Poland. PKP Intercity plans to deploy them on routes from Warsaw to Gdansk, Lodz, Olsztyn, Wroclaw, Krakow, Bialystok, and Terespol, with an expected official operation date in approximately 3 and a half years.
3. 500-Passenger Capacity + Full Configuration, Chorzów Factory Takes Charge of Production
These double-decker trains boast strong passenger capacity, with a single set able to accommodate over 500 passengers. The carriages are divided into first-class and second-class sections, and also feature quiet zones, family zones, as well as storage spaces for bicycles and oversized luggage. The passenger experience configurations are comprehensive, including air conditioning, Wi-Fi, power outlets, USB ports, adjustable lighting, and a passenger information system. On-board vending machines will also provide basic catering services.
The design fully considers accessibility needs, while being equipped with European ETCS Level 1 and Level 2 train control systems, GPS positioning, fault diagnosis functions, and full-carriage video surveillance. The production of the trains will be undertaken by Alstom's Chorzów factory, which currently has 2,500 employees. The factory currently produces rolling stock for railway operators in countries such as Ireland, Romania, and Germany, and also serves as a manufacturing center for aluminum and steel car bodies.
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