photo: PKP PLK/PKP PLK
Rail Baltica prioritizes European companies in its biggest tender yet, promoting fair competition and protecting public investments.
The Association of Czech Railway Industry Companies (ACRI) supports the approach taken by Poland’s railway infrastructure manager, PKP PLK (Polskie Linie Kolejowe), in its tender for the modernization of a key Rail Baltica section between Białystok and Ełk. Participation in the tender is limited exclusively to European companies.
Read more
Trains don’t just connect cities—they connect people, cultures, and economies. In a world searching for greener travel, railways quietly reshape how…
Rail Baltica: A Pillar of European Connectivity
The Rail Baltica project is a critical part of Europe’s transport infrastructure, connecting the Baltic states with the heart of Europe. The contract to modernize the Białystok–Ełk section highlights the importance of well-designed public procurement rules. These ensure equal opportunities for all participants while promoting the effective use of public funds.
With an estimated value exceeding EUR 1.3 billion, this is the largest tender in the history of Polish railways.
Read more
From markets split by railways to ocean-crossing bridges, these trains redefine adventurous travel. Discover the world’s most unusual and risky rail …
A Europe-Only Tender: Ensuring Fairness and Quality
The tender’s conditions are based on a recent decision by the European Court of Justice, allowing public contracts to be limited to firms from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and countries party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement.
"The conditions of this tender ensure a fair and equitable environment for all participants operating under EU rules, while eliminating the risk of unfair practices, such as hidden state subsidies that enable non-European companies to submit bids with exceptionally low prices. In this way, they contribute to the protection of public investments, the sustainability of the project, and the assurance of the required level of quality and safety.
In the recent past, we have witnessed the use of such unfair practices in similar public tenders, with attempts to gain an unjust advantage over other participants. It is precisely the intervention of European authorities that effectively curtails and addresses such behavior," said Marie Vopálenská, CEO of ACRI. She added: "The announcement of this tender reflects the principles of European institutions, which combine the values of free competition with the demands for maintaining high standards of quality and transparency.
Such conditions can serve as an inspiration for other strategic projects within the European Union. They provide a guideline for how to proceed in organizing similar public tenders for railways, including in the Czech Republic."
Read more
In the Czech Republic, South Moravia’s latest Stadler trains combine tradition with innovation. Named after vineyards, they offer modern comfort and more…
ACRI’s Commitment to Sustainable and Competitive Rail Networks
ACRI has long supported measures aimed at developing a modern, sustainable, and competitive transportation network in line with the values of the European Union. Fair and transparent public procurement processes are essential to:
- Protecting public investments,
- Fostering innovation, and
- Strengthening European industries on the global stage.
Source: ACRI Press Release