The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Polish PKP Intercity have signed a EUR 224 million finance contract for the purchase of 20 intercity trains and a maintenance depot. The new trains will allow PKP Intercity to provide high-speed passenger connections between Gdynia, Warsaw, and Krakow/Katowice.
The rail operator PKP Intercity, majority-owned by the Polish State Treasury, provides long-distance passenger train services in Poland, based on a long-term Public Service Contract with the Polish Government. The EIB loan, together with a grant from EU-funds, enables the company to purchase 20 trains (electrical multiple units) which will reach a top speed of about 250km per hour, thus allowing a virtually high-speed service to be offered. PKP Intercity will operate the trains on existing routes in Poland: Warsaw-Gdansk-Gdynia, Warsaw-Krakow, and Warsaw-Katowice. They are part of a Trans-European Transport Networks project connecting Gdansk, Warszawa, Brno/Bratislava and Vienna. In addition to the rolling stock, the project also comprises a related maintenance depot. The loan complements another EIB loan to PKP PLK dedicated to the modernisation of infrastructure on the E-65 line from Warsaw to Gdynia – where the trains will be used.

Anton Rop, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, called the project an excellent opportunity for the Bank to further increase its support to the Polish rail sector.
“These new trains will enable passengers in Poland to experience a new level of quality and comfort. With their leading-edge technology, these trains meet the highest functionality and safety standards”, said Janusz Malinowski, President of PKP Intercity.

Background information:
The EIB is the European Union’s bank. Its purpose is to promote the EU’s objectives by providing long-term loans for viable projects.
PKP Intercity is the largest Polish railway operator. Since the company’s establishment in 2001 its mission has been to render transport services adjusted and optimized to satisfy the customers’ expectations.