photo: PKP Intercity press materials/PKP plans to raise more than 4 million euros from CEF. The aim is to equip 100 locomotives with the ERTMS system.
For the first time in the company's history, PKP Intercity has applied for funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The company intends to receive EUR 4.24 million (approx. PLN 19.5 million) to equip more than 100 locomotives with European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) equipment. The application submitted by PKP Intercity under the Connecting Europe Facility 2021-2027 (CEF 2) received a positive opinion from the Ministry of Finance and Regional Policy in the first phase. The proposal is now awaiting evaluation by the European Commission. The Commission's decision to select projects for co-financing is scheduled for June this year. PKP Intercity plans to receive EUR 4.24 million (approx. PLN 19.5 million) for ERTMS co-financing in 2022-2026.
The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for the new financial perspective 2021-2027 was established in July 2021 by a European Union regulation. The main objectives of the CEF are the construction, development, modernization, and completion of trans-European networks in the transport, energy, and digital technology sectors. In the transport sector, eligible for EU financial support under the above Regulation are actions supporting transport telematics applications systems, including the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). The budget earmarked for transport is EUR 25.8 billion, of which EUR 12.83 billion is the general fund available to all EU countries.
The consistent deployment of ERTMS is taking railways into the digital world. The system enables faster and safer journeys and train movements on national rail networks without installing and knowing national systems. Using CEF funds, we want to equip locomotives with ERTMS equipment, strengthening our fleet in the coming years - says Tomasz Gontarz, member of the PKP Intercity Management Board.
The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is one of the planned funding sources for PKP Intercity's extended investment strategy with a view to 2030. Under it, the company will allocate PLN 27 billion for a modern fleet and environmentally friendly parking stations. Other sources of financing include own funds, settlement of funds received under the Operational Program Infrastructure and Environment 2014-2020 (OPI&E), use of a loan granted by the European Investment Bank, funds from the European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, Environment (FEnIKS) program, funds from the National Reconstruction Plan, bond issues and investment loans.
PKP Intercity is Poland's largest railway carrier, providing communication between major cities and popular tourist centers in the country, connecting smaller centers with agglomerations while enabling convenient travel across Europe and providing transport accessibility to the inhabitants of an increasing number of towns and villages. The carrier strives to offer passengers a high and repeatable standard of travel and is intensively developing its passenger offer to make rail the first-choice means of transport. As part of the extended investment strategy "PKP Intercity - Railway of Large Investments," the company will allocate PLN 27 billion by 2030 for modern rolling stock and environmentally friendly parking stations. By 2030, PKP Intercity's entire fleet will be new or modernized, ensuring a high level of safety and comfort for travelers. The development of rail as the most environmentally friendly means of public transport is in line with the assumptions of the European Green Deal. PKP Intercity has the ambition to become the first Polish passenger carrier whose operations will be climate neutral.