Today, at the office of the Marshal of Zachodniopomorskie Province in Szczecin, a contract was signed for the procurement of two additional Electric Multiple Units from the IMPULS 31 WE family, stipulated as an option under the original contract signed in November 2013. So far, NEWAG S.A. has delivered 14 trains in total (twelve out of which were for Zachodniopomorskie Province and two for Lubuskie Province). The deadline for the delivery of the two additional EMUs is late December this year.
IMPULS EMUs manufactured by NEWAG are cutting-edge rail vehicles of this kind manufactured in Poland. These are four-unit, low-floor trains with an open compartment layout. Due to the fact that the trains are TSI compliant, they offer travelling comfort and safety both to passengers and train drivers.
“IMPULS trains fully meet our passengers’ expectations and are changing their attitude towards travelling by train. The trains guarantee not only comfort and safety to the residents of our province but also shorter travel times,” said Olgierd Geblewicz, Marshal of Zachodniopomorskie Province. In Marshal’s opinion, this investment emphasises a consistent policy of the local authorities to promote rail transport in the region. “We are finilising the biggest in history railway project in Zachodniopomorskie Province. In the new EU perspective, we should finish the process of replacing worn-out rolling stock.”
The EMUs are air-conditioned and equipped with, among other, a full interior monitoring system, modern passenger information system, Wi-Fi access and two toilets out of which one is adapted to the needs of passengers with reduced mobility in compliance with the TSI PRM. The train interior has also been adapted to facilitate travelling for passengers with reduced mobility: it features ramps, wide aisles and a specially designated space for transporting wheelchairs and bicycles. The passenger space looks very modern due to modular panelled walls, LED lighting and comfortable seats.
“I am very happy that both provinces decided to use the option and to purchase one train for each province. Based on our experience, we know that IMPULS trains have drawn a lot of praise from passengers travelling on the train routes of Zachodniopomorskie and Lubuskie Provinces,” said Zbigniew Konieczek, President of NEWAG S.A. “I must emphasise that the IMPULS EMUs operating within the Zachodnia Grupa Zakupowa – Western Procurement Group have reached a reliability rate of 99%, which proves their European standard.”
Each of the IMPULS electric multiple units ordered under the contract has the passenger capacity of 436, including 208 seats in an open compartment layout. Due to the specific requirements of the contracting authority the IMPULS trains manufactured for the Western Procurement Group have been fitted at the entrance zones with additional doors leading to the passenger space.
The contract is being implemented as a joint venture of two provinces: Zachodniopomorskie Province and Lubuskie Province within the Infrastructure and Environment Operational Programme for the years 2007 – 2013 titled: “The purchase of the rolling stock to service interprovincial connections organised by Lubuskie and Zachodniopomorskie Provinces.” The gross cost of the two additional EMUS is PLN 42 804 000.00 and the total value of the contract implementation, after the Annex has been signed, has reached the gross amount of PLN 340 791 962.53.