PKP Intercity and NEWAG Strike Historic Deal for Advanced Multi-System Locomotives

PKP Intercity has taken a monumental step in upgrading its fleet by signing a groundbreaking agreement with NEWAG, a leading locomotive manufacturer based in Nowy Sącz. This deal, valued at nearly PLN 2.3 billion, involves the purchase of 63 multi-system electric locomotives, with an option for an additional 32 units, and includes a 5-year maintenance service. Notably, this order is the largest single-series purchase in the history of both PKP Intercity and NEWAG.

The genesis of this contract traces back to mid-2021 when PKP Intercity initiated a competitive dialogue for the supply of these locomotives, coupled with maintenance services. The bid process, culminating in November of the following year, saw NEWAG as the sole contractor meeting the financial and technical criteria set by PKP Intercity. The evaluation process, based on unit price and maintenance rates, led to the finalization of this contract. This procurement aligns with PKP Intercity’s strategic vision to modernize its fleet, aiming for all locomotives to achieve speeds of 160-200 km/h by 2030, as highlighted by Tomasz Gontarz, Vice-President of the Board of PKP Intercity.

The logistics and maintenance aspect of this agreement is equally noteworthy. According to Jaroslaw Oniszczuk, a member of the PKP Intercity Management Board, the uniformity of the vehicle series will streamline future maintenance and servicing. The contract stipulates that NEWAG will provide initial maintenance for 5 years or until the first level 4 repair, with PKP Intercity personnel being involved in the process to gain essential experience for future independent maintenance.

Zbigniew Konieczek, CEO of NEWAG S.A., announced that the first two locomotives will be delivered within 24 months from the contract signing, with the entire order to be completed within 60 months. These high-performance locomotives, equipped with the ETCS Level 2 system, are designed to operate across multiple countries and will be capable of speeds up to 200 km/h. The contract also includes an option for PKP Intercity to order an additional 32 locomotives, potentially raising the total order value to nearly 3.5 billion PLN.