Alstoms Pendolino high speed trains achieve five million kilometres in Poland

20151013---AlstomDepotPKPPoland_medres---800x320.jpg

Alstoms high speed Pendolino trains owned and operated by PKP Intercity¹ have reached 5 million kilometres in revenue service. Inaugurated in December 2014, the PKP Pendolino is the first high speed train in Poland. It has set a new standard for railway travel in Poland, offering passengers enhanced comfort, safety and shorter travel time between cities. Currently, trains run between the key metropolitan areas of the country.

"We are pleased to observe how the Pendolino effect attracts passengers and results in over 2.8 million travelers in the last ten months. Now we are focused on reaching new markets by extending Pendolinos routes to Rzeszów, Bielsko Biaa and Gliwice in mid-December", said Jacek Leonkiewicz, CEO of PKP Intercity.

Since the start of commercial operation, Alstom, as maintainer of the fleet, has secured a 100% availability of the trains. Regular maintenance is conducted at Alstoms Train Technical Service Centre, in Olszynka Grochowska (Warsaw). The workshop hall is equipped with three maintenance tracks and two repair tracks that can handle 7-car trains. The property also has a spare parts warehouse and an automatic car wash. The facility is equipped with the most technologically advanced service tools.

"Alstom is proud of the success of this project in Poland for which it has supplied the trains, designed and constructed the technical facilities and began the 17-year maintenance contract. It is a confirmation of Alstom Transports international expertise," said Nicolas Halamek, Managing Director of Alstom Transport in Poland.

More than 500 Pendolino trainsets have been sold worldwide, covering over 700 million kilometres in commercial service, which makes it the most sold high-speed train in the world. Today, Pendolino crosses seven European borders and operates in 14 countries worldwide: Italy, Austria, Germany, China, Czech Republic, Finland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Poland.

About Alstom Transport

A promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom Transport develops and markets the most complete range of systems, equipment and services in the railway sector. Alstom Transport manages entire transport systems, including trains, signalling, maintenance and modernisation, infrastructure and offers integrated solutions. Alstom Transport had sales of 6.2 billion and booked 10 billion of orders in the fiscal year 2014/15. Alstom Transport is present in over 60 countries and employs around 28,000 people.

[1] In 2011, PKP Intercity awarded Alstom a contract worth 665 million to supply 20 high speed trains, their full maintenance for 17 years and the construction of a maintenance depot, Alstoms Train Technical Service Centre in Warsaw.