Before the end of this year, four modernised EN57 Electric Multiple Units will appear on the railway tracks in the Pomorskie Province. This came about following concluding of a contract between the Province of Pomorskie and NEWAG S.A., which was signed at the Marshal’s Office today, i.e., on 12th August. The contract was signed by Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of Pomorskie Province, Ryszard Świlski, member of the Board of Pomorskie Province and Zbigniew Konieczek, President of the Board of NEWAG S.A.
“Modernisation of the four electric multiple units constitutes a part of a series of rolling stock investment projects implemented by the Province of Pomorskie such as rolling stock purchase to service the Pomerania Metropolitan Line (10 trains) and rolling stock purchase to service the Malbork – Grudziądz route (4 trains),” saidMieczysław Struk, Marshal of Pomorskie Province. “We also plan further purchases of electric multiple units (34 items) and modernisation of the SKM rolling stock (21 trains) within the “Mobile Pomerania” regional strategic programme. All those actions aim at replacing the old rolling stock operated in our region with the new one. Thanks to such projects local residents will be able to use rail transport which is characterised by the latest technical solutions and is passenger– friendly.”
The EMUs will be adapted to the needs of disabled passengers, passenger and staff compartments will be fitted with new, highly ergonomic seats with arm-rests made with damage-resistant (vandal-proof) materials. Each unit will be fitted with new, retention-tank toilets accessible to passengers with impaired mobility (TSI PRM compliant).
The modernised EN57 will have a modern passenger information system (exterior LED destination boards and LCD internal boards displaying the current route and train location) as well as the digital interior monitoring system with image recording. The passenger space, staff compartments and the driver’s cab are fully air-conditioned. The new EZ57 will have 168 seats, space for 2 wheelchairs and 6 bicycles.
“Due to the comprehensive modernisation of the EN57 Electric Multiple Units, the trains will not resemble their old counterparts at all. Their appearance will receive a substantial facelift and the comfort of travel and work for train drivers will improve dramatically,” said Zbigniew Konieczek, President of NEWAG S.A. “All EN57 modernised by our company receive a new, functional driver’s cab equipped with a modern, ergonomic control panel fitted with the electronic diagnostic system and an electronic timetable.”
The gross value of the contract is PLN 30 405 600. The modernised trains will be handed over to the carrier within 110 days since signing the contract.
Modernisation of the four electric multiple units is implemented within the project called “The purchase and modernisation of electric-drive passenger rolling stock to service inter-regional routes covering at least two provinces” co-financed by the Infrastructure and Environment Operational Programme for the years 2007 – 2013 (the contract for co-funding was signed on 30 June, 2014). The project involves purchase and modernisation of eight electric multiple units. The rolling stock purchase (8 trains covered by the project) were implemented in the years 2010 – 2012, with four trains already modernised in the years 2011–2012. The total value of the project is PLN 70. 16 million and the co-financing amounts to PLN 40.44 million. This modernisation covers the last four trains under by the project.
The modernised rolling stock, operated by Przewozy Regionalne, will service the routes: Gdynia-Elbląg-Olsztyn and Gdynia-Bydgoszcz.