News
Cutting-edge IMPULS trains manufactured by NEWAG for Małopolska
On 28 November 2016, Newag S.A. officially handed over six trains from IMULS family to the Province of Małopolska.
The ceremony, taking place at the Main Train Station in Nowy Sącz, was attended by representatives of the Marshal Office of the Province of Małopolska, Tarnów Bishop Rev. Andrzej Jeż, representatives of the local authorities and the Management Board of NEWAG S.A.
The electric multiple units handed over today are four IMPULS 45WE trains consisting of five units and two IMPULS 31WE EMUs consisting of four units. They were manufactured by NEWAG S.A. for the Province of Małopolska under the contract signed on 30th March this year for the delivery of twelve rail vehicles. According to the contract, NEWAG will deliver the remaining six trains until 15th February 2017 and it will provide comprehensive maintenance and warranty service. The authorities of Małopolska Province exercised the right of option and ordered an additional EMU. The total value of the ordered rolling stock including the option exceeds PLN 304 million gross.
“The order for Małopolska is a priority and key order for us. We are very proud that cutting-edge IMPULS trains made in Nowy Sącz, fully compliant with TSI will be carrying passengers in Małopolska as early as in December this year,” said Zbigniew Konieczek, President of Newag S.A. “These trains are equipped with the ECTS level 2 which through the GPS module ensures communication of on-board equipment with the infrastructure located at the rail line,” added Zbigniew Konieczek.
Leszek Zegzda, Member of the Board of the Małopolska Province, emphasized “We do everything to convince passengers to start travelling by train again. We will prove that rail transport can be fast, comfortable, punctual and competitive as far as ticket prices are concerned. These features characterise Koleje Małopolskie which are successfully taking over servicing next lines in the Małopolska Province,” he added and stressed that Koleje Małopolskie, the provincial train operator, has already attracted a growing number of local residents and tourist. “Koleje Małopolskie carried the first million passengers in nine months since they started operating and as many as three million within 16 months. This number may increase to 6.5 million passengers by the end of this year.”
Newag and Małopolska authorities hope that the new rolling stock, comprising cutting-edge trains which can travel with a maximum speed of 160km/h, will encourage big numbers of local residents to use trains when travelling between major Małopolska towns.
In order to prove that IMPULS trains can compete with road transport, a special race between IMPULS 45 WE-014 and a race car driven by a professional racing driver Michał Kościuszko was held. Newag’s IMPULS covered the Nowy Sącz – Kraków Central Station route in approx. 2.5 hours whereas the racing car (observing traffic rules) reached the centre of Kraków several minutes later.
It was calculated that an average passenger car with 2.0 engine, covering the 100 km distance between Nowy Sącz and Kraków, uses approx. seven litres of petrol. Assuming the price of PB 95 is PLN 4.47 per 1 litre, the cost of a one-way trip will be PLN 31.29. The train ticket for the same route costs now PLN 14.00. Therefore, it seems that train journey is not only more comfortable but cheaper, too.
The honourable guests and audience, who attended the ceremony in big numbers, had an opportunity to check themselves how comfortable and modern IMPULS trains are, which will start carrying passengers on Kraków – Tarnów route in December. These trains are adapted to the needs of disabled passengers (lifts, designated spaces for wheelchairs, toilets compliant with TSI PRM) as well as needs of passengers travelling with small children (changing stations) and cyclists
The newly-delivered trains will have from 200 – 250 seats and amenities such as air-conditioning, air-blow heating, passenger compartment monitoring, bicycle racks, Wi-Fi, electric sockets and ticket dispensers.
