Network modernization, modern rolling stock, increased safety – these are the development plans for Polish railways for the coming years.
The European Union is focusing on environmentally friendly rail transport, subsidizing investments in railways and trams. The EU’s 2011 White Paper on Transport formulates 10 strategic goals. Among them are maintaining a dense rail network in all member states, a threefold increase in the high-speed rail network by 2030, and the completion of this network by 2050, so that a larger portion of medium-distance passenger traffic takes place by rail. In line with this strategy, rail transport is set to play a significant role in subsequent budget perspectives.
Billions for the railway.
Government investment plans
For investments in rail infrastructure, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development has prepared a draft of the National Railway Program, which will cover all investments from MIR funds and EU subsidies. As reported by Rynek Kolejowy, the project budget will amount to approximately PLN 67 billion, of which PLN 38.9 billion will be subsidized by the EU. The project has just passed the stage of inter-ministerial consultations, then it is to be submitted for public consultation, and after successful coordination and verification procedures, it will be approved by the Council of Ministers.
Within the framework of the Infrastructure and Environment Operational Program alone in the years 2014-2020, the ministry plans to spend 5 billion euros on rail transport. In the new EU perspective, modernizations and reconstructions of the TEN-T network are planned, as well as the modernization and purchase of rolling stock. The investments are aimed at, among other things, increasing the speed and safety of Polish railways.
In order to exchange knowledge and experience in the development of transport networks, in 2013 Poland established inter-ministerial cooperation with France. On May 18 this year, another meeting of the Polish-French working group on transport and infrastructure took place in Paris, concerning the exchange of common experiences and solutions regarding the development and modernization of the rail network in both countries.
The Dart is coming.
Purchases of new rolling stock
Pendolino is just the beginning. In December, the Dart will appear on Polish tracks, a train distinguished by its modern design, produced by Pesa from Bydgoszcz. Currently, the Dart is undergoing test runs. Pesa is to deliver 20 units of this train ordered by PKP Intercity.
Pesa’s Dart is not the only example of new rolling stock delivery for Polish railways this year. According to data from the Inforail portal, 33 rolling stock units were delivered in the first quarter of this year alone. In addition to fulfilling orders from previous years and the Dart, PKP Intercity has ordered 20 Flirt3 units from the Stadler&Newag consortium and 10 Gama trains from Pesa. Local governments are mainly investing in new locomotives and electric multiple units (EMUs). By the end of the year, Newag, which is the leader in the ranking, is to deliver 10 Impuls trains for Koleje Mazowieckie, 2 EMUs for SKM in the Tri-City, 10 EMUs for ŁKA, and also complete deliveries for KD and the Western Purchasing Group. PESA is to take care of new rolling stock for the Pomeranian and Subcarpathian railways.
Safety on the railway
Many factors influence the safety of the railway system, such as investments in railway lines, stations, and modern rolling stock. In order to improve safety this year, PKP PLK plans to commission 1,100 km of new tracks, with PLN 8 billion allocated for repairs and replacements. In turn, the budget for new rolling stock investments scheduled for 2011-2015 is approximately PLN 5.6 billion.
In addition to modern locomotives, carriers and local governments are also investing in rolling stock equipment elements, such as brake sand.
– High-quartz dried sand is one of the elements of the braking system in rail vehicles that has a direct impact on driving safety, which is why its high quality, supported by certificates from specialized research institutions such as the Railway Institute, is so important – says Andrzej Rams from Sandmix, a manufacturer and supplier of brake sand for rail vehicles.
The number of passengers is growing
Investments in railways are bringing results. Transport performance, i.e., the number of people transported, is growing. Data from the Office of Rail Transport shows that in March this year, 24,263.56 thousand people used rail services, and transport performance amounted to 1,330.19 million passenger-kilometers – it was higher than in January and February 2015 and increased by 3.99% compared to 2014.