Today, an agreement was signed at the Marshal’s Office for the delivery of five new five-car electric trains for Koleje Dolnośląskie. The PLN 145 million contract will be carried out by PESA Bydgoszcz. The purchase of the new trains, alongside the systematic takeover of railway lines by the Lower Silesian regional government, is another step toward increasing access to modern and environmentally friendly public transport.
Eliminating transport exclusion is a strategic task undertaken by the authorities of Lower Silesia. Its implementation includes measures aimed at restoring the former network of functional railway lines by taking over and renovating closed routes, as well as systematically developing the regional carrier – Koleje Dolnośląskie.
– We are strongly committed to rail because it is fast, safe and also environmentally friendly transport. Taking over additional railway routes and purchasing new trains are important elements of our strategy for developing passenger rail transport. We want to ensure access to it wherever possible, and our carrier’s new trains will help achieve this – says Cezary Przybylski, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. – Without efficient transport, dynamic development of the region is impossible, which is why we view our activities as an investment in the future. I assure you that, both in the process of taking over and launching railway lines and in further rolling-stock purchases, we have not yet said our final word.
The value of the trains ordered from PESA Bydgoszcz is PLN 145 million. The carrier will finance them partly through its own contribution obtained from an investment loan, and partly through European Union funds under an agreement with the Centre for EU Transport Projects.
– Effective implementation of EU projects depends on meeting the most important conditions: securing own funds and efficiently carrying out schedules – comments Deputy Marshal Marcin Krzyżanowski. – Knowing how important the purchase of new rolling stock is from the perspective of our transport strategy, we took steps that guaranteed the implementation of this project. First, we became guarantors of the investment loan that Koleje Dolnośląskie received to purchase the trains. Second, we continuously monitored the project schedule, which was never at risk. Today, we can be pleased that our support for KD produced the outcome expected by the voivodeship authorities.
The new trains will appear on Lower Silesian tracks in 22 months. For the duration of the project’s sustainability period, they will be dedicated to serving the Wrocław Functional Area and will operate on two routes: Oleśnica – Wrocław Główny – Siechnice – Jelcz-Laskowice and Wrocław Główny – Wrocław Wojnów – Jelcz-Laskowice.
Importantly, the new trains will free up the vehicles that have so far operated on these routes and allow Koleje Dolnośląskie to deploy them on lines currently being taken over from PKP PLK.
– The new trains will enable the development of Wrocław’s metropolitan railway. This is an important project for many reasons – it will relieve the city of traffic congestion, enable its further development and, above all, form part of our strategy to combat transport exclusion in Lower Silesia – explains Tymoteusz Myrda, member of the Voivodeship Board.
The Management Board of Koleje Dolnośląskie is also pleased about the signing of the agreement for the new trains. – We are delighted that additional modern trains will join the Koleje Dolnośląskie fleet. PESA and its products have their place in the company’s short history, and I am convinced that the Elf 2 will add another outstanding chapter to it. Especially since the several months preceding today’s agreement were a very intensive period for Koleje Dolnośląskie as a whole. For this effort, I would like to thank my fellow board members and all KD employees involved in this project. I would also like to thank the voivodeship authorities, which supported us at every stage – says Damian Stawikowski, President of Koleje Dolnośląskie. – As a regional carrier, we regard every investment move we make as an investment for the benefit of the voivodeship and its residents. At the company, we are already preparing operational plans for serving the lines being taken over by UMWD, and we are also seeking financing for 20 additional Elf 2 trains that we may order under the option.
– Koleje Dolnośląskie is one of the symbols of the success of regional transport in Poland. We are proud that PESA, through the vehicles it supplies, can be part of this success. The Elf 2 trains we will deliver to KD are modern, well-designed vehicles that will be manufactured based on our best experience and innovative solutions. I am convinced that both passengers and train crews will be satisfied with them – concludes Krzysztof Zdziarski, President of the Management Board of PESA Bydgoszcz SA.