photo: PKP Intercity / Public domain/Illustrative photo
Poland has formally launched a tender for 320 km/h trains, moving beyond concepts toward concrete high-speed rail investment.
Poland has launched its first tender for trains capable of running at 320 km/h. The move is linked to the planned rollout of new high-speed rail lines and marks a shift from infrastructure planning to rolling-stock procurement.
PKP Intercity confirmed it has opened a competitive dialogue procedure for the procurement of 20 high-speed electric multiple units, with an option for up to 35 additional trains, alongside long-term maintenance services and the construction of a dedicated technical depot. According to the operator, this is the first procurement of its kind in Poland and is designed to align rolling stock development with the country’s emerging high-speed rail network.
The tender requires bidders to demonstrate experience in delivering trains capable of operating at at least 250 km/h, a condition intended to ensure technological maturity while still allowing Polish manufacturers to participate through international consortia. PKP Intercity said that before launching the procedure, it held market consultations with nine rolling stock manufacturers, including Polish firms that confirmed their intention to bid in partnership with experienced technology providers, according to information published by Rynek Kolejowy.
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A Long Procurement Timetable to Attract Competition
Unlike previous rolling-stock tenders, the procurement schedule has been deliberately extended. Applications to participate are due by April 2026, with the dialogue phase continuing well into 2027. Final bids are expected in May 2027, with contract award planned for August 2027, allowing manufacturers sufficient time to develop technical and industrial partnerships.
The selected supplier will be required not only to deliver the trains but also to provide maintenance services for up to 30 years, train drivers, supply simulators, and design and build a new maintenance facility. PKP Intercity estimates the cost of a single high-speed unit at around EUR 28.5-29.6 million (PLN 120–125 million), showing the scale and complexity of the project.
Speaking at the announcement, Poland’s Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak described the tender as a "historic moment" for the national rail sector, stressing the government’s intention to maximise domestic industrial involvement. PKP Intercity CEO Janusz Malinowski said the operator had carried out extensive financial and demand analyses and was confident that the project would strengthen rail’s competitiveness on long-distance routes.
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New Services Built Around the "Y" High-Speed Corridor
The initial fleet of 20 trains is expected to operate primarily on the planned "Y" high-speed line, linking Warsaw with Łódź and extending towards Poznań and Wrocław. PKP Intercity plans hourly services between Warsaw, Łódź, and Wrocław, as well as two-hourly connections from Warsaw via Łódź and Poznań to Szczecin and Berlin. If the optional order is exercised, frequencies on key corridors could increase to every 30 minutes.
The trains are also expected to support international expansion, with future extensions under consideration towards Prague and Leipzig, subject to infrastructure readiness and cross-border approvals. Vehicles must be homologated for operation not only in Poland but also in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria, reflecting the project’s international scope.
According to Rynek Kolejowy, the new trains will offer at least 402 seats, divided into two classes, alongside a restaurant or bar area, family zones, accessibility features, and space for bicycles. The technical specification includes ETCS Levels 1 and 2, readiness for future FRMCS deployment, and multi-system power supply to enable cross-border operation. The tender comes as Poland accelerates work on its high-speed rail programme, including infrastructure development led by CPK.