Alstom Beats Stadler in Polish Train Tender, Eyes Record Czech Procurement

Alstom has outpaced Stadler to win Poland’s high-stakes tender for 42 Coradia Max double-deckers. The victory could be just the beginning, as the company positions itself for the upcoming Czech "supertender."

Polish national operator PKP Intercity has awarded Alstom a contract for 42 double-decker Coradia Max trains worth EUR 965 million (PLN 4.1 billion), including 30 years of maintenance. The French manufacturer is also preparing certification for the Czech market and plans to compete in the upcoming Czech "supertender."

PKP Intercity has completed the evaluation of bids in its high-profile tender for 42 double-decker push–pull trainsets with a top speed of 200 km/h. The winner is Alstom, which prevailed after a long and politically charged procurement process. The inclusion of references to existing rolling stock in the tender documentation disqualified several competitors, including Poland’s state-owned Pesa Bydgoszcz.

Alstom Triumphs Over Stadler in Final Round

Alstom Polska submitted the most advantageous offer, pledging to manufacture the trains at its Chorzów plant, which employs more than 2,000 workers. The contract, valued at EUR 940 million (PLN 4.1 billion), also covers 30 years of maintenance and servicing, with an option for an additional 30 vehicles.

The final stage came down to two major players with established production bases in Poland: Alstom Polska (Chorzów and Nadarzyn) and Stadler Polska (Siedlce). While Stadler offered lower acquisition costs, its maintenance package was priced at EUR 760 million (PLN 3.3 billion), compared with Alstom’s EUR 650 million (PLN 2.8 billion). This price difference of nearly EUR 92 million (PLN 400 million) secured Alstom’s victory. Other evaluation criteria included energy efficiency and delivery schedules.

The procurement marks the third attempt by PKP Intercity to launch a double-decker fleet. Previous tenders in 2021 and 2023 for 38 trainsets were cancelled after bids exceeded the available budget by over EUR 470k (PLN 2 billion). Alstom backed its latest offer with a visible public and political campaign, pledging in June to allocate further investments to its Polish facilities.

Coradia Max: Double-Deckers for Poland’s Main Corridors

The new Coradia Max trainsets will operate on Poland’s busiest intercity routes in the economy segment, including services from Warsaw to Gdańsk, Łódź, Olsztyn, Wrocław, Kraków, Białystok, and Terespol. PKP Intercity also intends to integrate them into the future high-speed rail network. The first passengers are expected to board in about three and a half years.

Each trainset will carry more than 500 passengers and feature reclining seats with individual tables, adjustable lighting, Wi-Fi, power sockets, and USB ports. Facilities will include first- and second-class sections, quiet zones, a children’s area, vending machines with dining spaces, bicycle and large luggage storage with security options, and full accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility. The units will be equipped with ETCS Level 1 and 2, an onboard diagnostic system, GPS, and an internal/external CCTV system.

Alstom Targets Czech "Supertender"

According to PKP Intercity, Alstom is preparing certification of the Coradia Max for Czech railways. The company is now expected to compete in the upcoming tender for the Prague and Central Bohemia regions, considered the largest in the history of modern Czech rail. Unlike in Poland, where maintenance costs played a decisive role, the Czech procurement will focus almost exclusively on purchase price.

Sources: PKP Intercity, Raport Kolejowy