Alstom to supply and maintain a fleet of 20 New Pendolino trains for PKP Intercity

The Polish operator PKP Intercity, in charge of long distance passenger transport, has awarded Alstom a contract worth €665 million1 to supply 20 high speed trains, their full maintenance up to 17 years and the construction of a new maintenance depot. The first trains are scheduled for delivery in 2014.

PKP Intercity will operate the trains on existing routes in Poland: Warsaw-Gdansk-Gdynia; Warsaw-Krakow; Warsaw-Katowice. The travel time will be significantly shortened. The trainsets will travel between Warsaw and Gdansk in 2.5 hours, and between Warsaw and Krakow or Warsaw and Katowice in slightly more than 2 hours.

The trainsets of 7 cars each will be based on Alstom’s standard New Pendolino platform. In line with the customer’s specifications, they will not integrate the tilting system. With a maximum speed of 250 km/h, they will be able to carry up to 402 passengers. The trains will be manufactured at Alstom’s Savigliano site in Italy, where Pendolino trains have been manufactured for more than 30 years.

“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.

Alstom’s New Pendolino trains are part of the company’s strategy for sustainable development: they are 95% recyclable and are equipped with electrical brake systems enabling up to 8% savings in energy consumption and recycling up to 97% of power which is fed back into the catenary system.

Moreover, noise reduction has been subject of particular attention, so as to fulfil the new European standard. The train is streamlined to reduce noise through the roof, the design of its ends has been optimized aerodynamically and sound insulation has been increased under the body. Lastly, a shock absorber dumping system vibration has been placed on the wheels, between the rim and the centre, with a view to reducing noise in operation.

The interior outfitting has been enhanced: wide corridors and gangways will improve accessibility and the comfort of passengers. Video monitors and a video-surveillance system will ensure maximum safety.

As well as meeting the latest interoperability European standards (ERTMS), the trainsets for PKP Intercity will be equipped with signalling systems required to operate not only in Poland but also in Austria, Czech Republic and Germany.

In addition to rolling stock, Alstom will supply full maintenance of the trains up to 17 years in a new depot of 12.000m² which will be built in Warsaw. Some 100 people dedicated to commissioning, general warranty and full maintenance of the trains will work there.

“We are very happy to provide PKP Intercity with a “state of the art” high speed train, at its 4th generation. It is a service-proven train, therefore reliable and readily available “, commented Thierry Best, Chief Commercial Officer of Alstom Transport. “This contract demonstrates Alstom’s expertise in mastering all businesses of the rail sector: rolling stock, information systems and services among others. It will allow Alstom to further strengthen its presence in Poland, where the Transport Sector of Alstom is already present with a plant in Katowice employing more than 500 people “, he added.

Reference

1. The contract should be booked in the 2nd quarter of fiscal year 2011/12.