The people of Lower Silesia have fallen in love with rail travel, which is why the voivodeship is investing not only in line revitalisation but also in modern rolling stock — fast, comfortable and environmentally friendly. The new trains are a response to the region’s growing transport needs. In just the last three years, rail services have returned in Lower Silesia to, among other places, Sobótka, Chocianów, Świeradów-Zdrój and Mirsk, as well as Mysłakowice and Karpacz, which thanks to the actions of the voivodeship authorities returned to Poland’s railway map after more than a quarter of a century.

– Lower Silesia is Poland’s infrastructure heartland, and Koleje Dolnośląskie plays a major role in this. That is why we are extremely pleased that the development of KD is having such a strong impact on the development of the entire region. We are creating a modern railway with the needs of residents in mind – says Paweł Gancarz, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.

More and More Modern Trains

Koleje Dolnośląskie has just exercised its purchase option under its contract with PESA, meaning that another ten new trains will arrive in the voivodeship. Once this order is completed, Koleje Dolnośląskie will have the largest fleet of five-car Elf trains in the country, numbering as many as 45 units. These passenger-approved trains operate, among other services, some of Poland’s most popular and fastest regional connections, such as those from Wrocław to Legnica and Lubin, and to Zielona Góra.

– We work and cooperate together across many areas. During this term alone, we have signed contracts for the delivery of as many as 30 new trains, and we additionally have an option to order another 20. And that is not the end – consultations are currently under way on the possibility of purchasing hydrogen- or battery-powered rolling stock – says Michał Rado, Deputy Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship responsible, among other things, for railways.

Once all currently ordered deliveries have been completed, the Koleje Dolnośląskie fleet will grow to nearly 120 trains, representing an increase of almost 50 percent in just a few years.

– KD’s operation of Elf trains is an example of excellent cooperation between a carrier and a rolling-stock manufacturer, and its results can be seen on the tracks every day. Vehicle reliability and passenger satisfaction are the best showcase for this partnership-based approach. I am convinced that many more joint projects changing the face of regional rail in Lower Silesia lie ahead of us – announced Krzysztof Zdziarski, President of the Management Board of PESA Bydgoszcz.

New Destinations, a Better Service

The development of the KD fleet directly translates into the development of its service. More trains make it possible to increase the number of connections, launch new routes and, importantly, further strengthen transport on suburban and non-electrified lines throughout Lower Silesia.

– Passengers rate the comfort of travelling on our Elfs very highly; these trains serve, among other routes, connections to Legnica and Lubin, where Poland’s fastest regional trains operate. We are consistently developing the fleet, investing not only in modern electric units but also in eco-friendly diesel trains – says Damian Stawikowski, President of Koleje Dolnośląskie.

Vehicles from the Bydgoszcz factory often arrive in Lower Silesia even ahead of the scheduled acceptance date, the result of many years of efficient cooperation with the manufacturer. The value of the contract with the Bydgoszcz-based PESA, expanded on Tuesday, amounts to nearly PLN 440 million. The cost of one train is PLN 44 million.

The first Elfs from the pool of 20 units will arrive in Lower Silesia in April 2026.