Poland: National operator PKP Intercity has announced a landmark tender for up to 55 high-speed electric trains.
The firm order of the procurement comprises 20 trainsets capable of operating at 320 km/h. The contract will also encompass the construction of a new depot and a 30-year maintenance. PKP Intercity states that prior to launching the tender, it conducted extensive market consultations with nine manufacturers.
The first two trains are to be delivered within five years after the contract signing, which is anticipated in August 2027. The passenger capacity of bi-mode trains must be up to 450 passengers. Specifications require two-class accommodation, a bar or restaurant module, and dedicated family zones.
The initial firm order was previously projected to include 26 units. This procurement is aligned with the development of the new “Y” high-speed line, connecting Warsaw with Łódź and branching to Wrocław and Poznań. The new fleet must also be certified for operation on railway networks in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria.
This marks Poland’s first-ever tender for trains of this calibre. Key qualification criteria mandate that bidders must demonstrate a proven track record, having supplied bi-mode trains operating at no less than 250 km/h within the past seven years. It is noteworthy that Poland has been operating a fleet of 20 Pendolino high-speed trains, supplied by the French Alstom, since 2014 (pictured). However, due to infrastructure constraints, their operational speed is currently limited to 200 km/h, despite a design capability of 250 km/h.
In a separate initiative, Polish authorities have previously signalled plans to procure between 100 and 200 trainsets with a 250 km/h operating speed for the extensive CPK transport hub project. The Polish manufacturer Pesa, which announced the development of such a train in 2022 and unveiled a conceptual design for it, is allegedly exploring a potential partnership with Talgo for this future endeavour.
