All of the modern IMPULS trains ordered from NEWAG have already started serving train routes in the Małopolska Province. These are low-noise and comfortable trains featuring wi-fi, electric sockets, bicycle racks and amenities for the disabled, to name a few. The last IMPULS train handed over was the hundredth electric multiple unit manufactured by NEWAG. This train was officially handed over to Jacek Krupa, Marshal of the Province by Zbigniew Konieczek, President and CEO of NEWAG at Cracow’s Main Train Station on Friday, February 24, 2017. This was a symbolic way to finalise the EU project under which the Province purchased 13 state-of-the-art trains.
The IMPULS trains for Małopolska region were manufactured in over a year and they cost more than PLN 300 million. In total, the Province authorities purchased five five-unit EMUs and eight four-unit EMUs. The first trains started servicing the routes as early as December last year (six EMUs: four five-unit IMPULS 45WE and two four unit IMPULS 31 WE EMUs). The next EMUs reached Małopolska and started running on Szybka Kolej Miejska – SKA [Fast Urban Railways] in February 2017.
“ Investment projects of this kind are changing the face of railway transport. In the last several years, with a great support from the EU funds, we have purchased in total 44 state-of-the-art trains which have ensured a totally different quality of travelling by train in Małopolska. However, I can ensure you that this is not the end of investments in building rail transport for 21st century,” said Jacek Krupa, Marshal of the Małopolska Province.
“ I am very proud that the 100th electric multiple unit from IMPULS family produced by NEWAG from Nowy Sącz will be carrying passengers in the Małopolska region. This 100th train was manufactured in Nowy Sącz and designed in full by our engineers in Nowy Sącz and Kraków. I would like to wish lots of success to Koleje Małopolskie and I hope they will double the number of their passengers,’ said Zbigniew Konieczek, President of NEWAG S.A.
The new trains meet strict TSI European standards (PRM, TSI NOI, TSI LOK&PAS, TSI SRT and TSI CCS), which has led to an increased travelling comfort for Małopolska passengers, in particular for disabled passengers and passengers with reduced mobility. Passengers travel in quiet, air-conditioned interiors, equipped with ergonomic seats, Internet access and electric sockets. The trains feature state-of-the-art visual and audio passenger information system, monitoring and passenger counting system. Each four-unit IMPULS can carry 200 passengers on seats (including 16 on folding seats) and the five-unit EMU carries 250 passengers on seats (including 20 on folding seats).
IMPULS EMUs are economical and safe – they have low energy consumption due to energy recuperation to overhead lines while braking. The trains are also compliant with strict European crashworthiness and collision standards (C1 according to EN 15227 and PII according to EN 12663). IMPULS trains can travel with an operational speed of 160 km/h.