Travel faster and more comfortable within Śląskie Voivodship – over PLN 250 million from the NRRP for modern trains

Koleje Śląskie will receive PLN 126.5 million, while Śląskie Voivodship will receive another PLN 126 million. Funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan will cover the purchase cost of 4-car IMPULS 2 units manufactured in Nowy Sącz by NEWAG, a Polish company. The first train compositions are already in use, while the next ones will be delivered successively until September 2026.

Zero-emission trains that focus on passengers’ comfort

– Investments into modernisation and purchase of a new rolling stock have a positive impact on passengers’ comfort, as well as the competitiveness of passenger transport. The increasing number of railway passengers proves the importance and necessity of such investments, as they allow to adjust the offer to the needs of residents, – stated Dariusz Klimczak, the Minister of Infrastructure.

Each of the 10 electric multiple units can reach the speed of 160 km/h and serve as much as 400 passengers, including 192 seated. The units will be equipped with air conditioning, a modern passenger information system, video surveillance and facilities for people with disabilities. The vehicles will have 2 spots for people in wheelchairs each, accessible toilets and an induction loop for people with hearing impairment.

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– Today’s event is a major step on the way towards a modern, low-emission and accessible public transport in Poland. Under NRRP, we co-financed the purchase of 413 different units, including multiple-unit trains, railway engines and carriages with a total value exceeding PLN 5 billion. This scale is enormous. And it’s a part of something even bigger. In this financial perspective, we’re investing an unprecedented amount of PLN 60 billion from the NRRP and EU funds into the development of railway infrastructure. It is truly impressive, – commented Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, during a briefing in the CEUTP headquarters, during which the funding for the purchase of new trains for the Śląskie Voivodship was discussed.

NEWAG IMPULS 2 units, put into service on the Silesian tracks, also include family-friendly zones equipped with interactive games for kids, as well as places to store bicycles, which can accommodate as many as 10 single-track vehicles.

– Comfortable trains, offering shorter travel time on the way to work or school, are an effective method to encourage residents to choose mass transport, – states Sylwia Cieślak-Wilk, Deputy Director of the Centre for EU Transport Projects. Increased number of railway passengers allows to limit the traffic volume on roads leading to cities. This way, we’re contributing to the reduction of traffic congestion and air pollution, as well as improvement of road safety.

Vehicles purchased thanks to NRRP funds help to adapt the transport offer to the needs of the residents of Śląskie Voivodship, as well as decommission the most worn-out rolling stock. The first to enjoy the new vehicles will be the passengers travelling on the following routes: Częstochowa – Katowice – Gliwice, Katowice – Rybnik – Racibórz and Katowice – Tarnowskie Góry – Lubliniec.

Towards the development of infrastructure

– Increasing number of modern train compositions means greater flexibility when planning the communication grid, as well as successive replacement of oldest units. It is also a substantial response to the needs of residents, who expect a comfortable, accessible, and eco-friendly railway transport, as well as its development. Only during this year, we launched new connections between Orzesze and Tychy, a direct connection between Częstochowa and Kraków, and further developments will appear in December, – stated Krzysztof Klimosz, President of the Management Board of Koleje Śląskie.

Śląskie Voivodship remains a region, in which investments into modern rolling stock go hand in hand with the modernisation of infrastructure and improvement of transport offer – creating a cohesive and attractive public transport system.

– Thanks to the provided support, after adding up other projects, Śląskie Voivodship will eventually own over 30 Impuls 2 units. We have chosen vehicles manufactured by Newag, as they are a proven solution. The trains are not only modern, but also eco-friendly. It’s a huge leap in terms of quality of comfort and travel reliability, – stated Grzegorz Boski, Vice-Marshal of Śląskie Voivodship.

Railway transport accessible to all

Śląskie Voivodship received PLN 14 billion from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Investments realised with the support from NRRP allow for the modernisation of the public transport – starting from the purchase of a new rolling stock, through the development of infrastructure, up to the implementation of smart solutions to improve mobility. Those are specific actions, which result in greater accessibility of railway transport, improved safety, as well as higher quality of services offered to passengers.