News
New IMPULS trains already operating on Silesian routes
Three electric multiple units have started running on the rail routes in Śląskie Province. They constitute the second part of the order placed by the Southern Procurement Group which provided for the delivery of six trains of this type to the Province. The first three trains appeared in the region in October last year and they have been operating in the livery of Koleje Ślaskie serving intra-regional routes.
The New IMPULS was shown to passengers and railway fans at the train station in Katowice. The presentation was attended by Stanisław Dąbrowa, Deputy Marshal of Śląskie Province and Maciej Duczyński, Vice President of NEWAG S.A., the train manufacturer.
“Passengers in our region can use the services of Koleje Śląskie and Przewozy Regionalne. We allocated the six new IMPULS trains so that three of them service the routes within the region whereas the remaining three service the so-called ‘connecting’ routes. I believe that the EMUs will prove successful in operation and passengers and train crews will judge if their expectations have been met,” said Deputy Marshal Dąbrowa during the presentation.
The purchased trains are some of the most modern rail vehicles of this type manufactured in Poland.
“IMPULS 36WEa are the first Polish trains to be granted the TSI LOK &PAS compliance certificates, which means that they meet the latest, stringent European crash and strength standards. The technological solutions implemented ensure the highest safely level for both passengers and train crews,” said Maciej Duczyński, Vice President of NEWAG S.A. “Safety as well as comfort of travelling are NEWAG’s priorities,” he added.
The trains are fully air-conditioned, equipped with the monitoring system and an event recorder as well as the modern passenger information system. Ergonomic seats, Wi-Fi access, electric sockets and sound-insulated interior all enhance the comfort of travelling. The low-floor facilitates boarding and de-boarding also for passengers with restricted mobility. The central car has a dedicated space for wheelchairs with a dedicated lift facilitating boarding for wheelchair-bound passengers as well as four bicycle racks.
The three-car IMPULS has the total passenger capacity of 276, including 156 seating capacity. It will travel with a speed of up to 160m/h. The new trains will be leased to Przewozy Regionalne and will service inter-provincial routes: Częstochowa-Kielce, Katowice-Kielce , Katowice-Kraków and Rybnik-Katowice-Kraków.
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The project was implemented as a joint enterprise of Małopolskie, Podkarpackie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Provinces within the Infrastructure and Environment Operational Programme 2007–2013: “The purchase of rolling stock to service interprovincial connections provided by the Provinces: Małopolskie, Podkarpackie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie.” Six IMPULS trains were ordered by each of the Małopolska, Świętokrzyskie and Śląskie Provinces and one IMPULS train went to Podkarpackie Province. The completed contract for the supply of 19 modern IMPULS trains was signed on 28 August, 2013.
The contract total gross value amounted to PLN 313 71 million (the EU co-financing covered 70% of the eligible costs).
