PKP Intercity awarded its subsidiary Remtrak a contract to repair and modernise a railcar fleet comprising 330 vehicles including the provision of periodic inspections to ensure high efficiency of the coaches. PLN 214 million (EUR 45.7 million) is the value of the contract which will be mostly carried out at Idzikowice plant.
The contract covers periodic repairs at the fourth stage of maintenance (P4) for the next 12 months.As part of the modification of existing functionalities, in addition to planned repairs, PKP Intercity Remtrak will modify the passenger information system in 159 carriages and retrofit the air conditioning system with UV lamps in 194 carriages. The agreement also covers periodic inspections of wagons after 18 months of operation or after reaching the mileage specified in the documentation (DSU).PKP Intercity Remtrak plants includethe one in Idzikowice that will carry out periodic inspections of 326 wagons at the third maintenance level (P3).The companies agreed that the inspection of one vehicle will last no longer than 20 calendar days and the entire agreement will be valid for 30 months.
“Our investments in PKP Intercity Remtrak plants have paid off. Not only are we able to perform periodic inspections faster, but we also carry out increasingly advanced repairs and modifications at the company’s plants. This is very important to us, as it ensures constant high-quality service for our rolling stock. This allows us to provide our customers with an increasingly higher standard of travel,” Tomasz Gontarz, the Vice-President of the Management Board of PKP Intercity said.
In 2021, PKP Intercity completed the modernisation of Idzikowice plant through an investment of PLN 150 million (EUR 32 million). The project included the construction of two repair halls, a facility for repairs of locomotives and wagons as well as warehouses for components. The external and internal technical infrastructure and the existing track system were also rebuilt.The completion of the modernisation of the plant in Idzikowice made it possible to perform and provide PKP Intercity with 100% of periodic repairs at the 3rd, 4th and 5th level of maintenance of all types of carriages, 100% of wheel sets and 60% of repairs of electric locomotives.
“Well-equipped, modern repair plants will greatly facilitate the process of improving the quality of rolling stock. The signed agreement confirms the validity of PKP Intercity’s strategy of increasing the competences of companies in the PKP Group. This is an important event both for PKP Intercity, which is sure that it will receive over 300 modified and functional carriages, and for Remtrak, which will be able to develop further thanks to such a large order,” Andrzej Bittel, the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure said.
The railcar fleet in Poland are serviced at five levels from P1 to P5.Inspections and repairs of P1 levels are carried out on a daily basis or as the part wears out, P2 are carried out at every 6 months or 60,000 km, while P3 inspections within 18-24 months of P4 repair.P4 level repairs are performed every 3-5 years.The technical condition of the vehicle is then carefully checked, and components and assemblies are replaced as planned.However, the highest level P5 repairs are performed every 12-23 years and are often aimed at modernising the vehicle.All components and bodies are replaced, and the standard is often increased by introducing electrical sockets, air conditioning and closed-circuit toilets.
A few days before signing the contract, PKP Intercity announced it will support the development of its PKP Intercity Remtrak through a loan of PLN 40 million (EUR 8.5 million) to maintain the continuity of the repair production process at the P5 level. This is part of PKP Intercity’s plan to modernise and expand its repair capabilities in order to renew its rolling stock and develop its activities.
In 2021, PKP Intercity Remtrak took over the bankrupt Wagon Opole company which repaired the carriages for PKP Intercity and saved 165 jobs. Following the loan, the company will modernise and expand the plant in Opole in Upper Silesia. “Now it’s time to develop the Opole plant. The takeover by the State Treasury company became a guarantee of stability and development for the plant in Opole. We are glad that PKP Intercity will invest in its modernisation and support it with capital. Larger orders from PKP Intercity will create new jobs at the plant in Opole,” Maciej Małecki, the Secretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets said.
It is expected that when modernisation of the plant will be completed, 400 jobs will be created and cooperation with Opole colleges and universities will also help the development of the activities at the plant with technical knowledge and highly qualified staff.
The loan will allow PKP Intercity Remtrak to increase its working capital, which will improve the process of supplying the company with components necessary for repairs and modernisation of rolling stock.
In addition, significant investments have been provided for the modernisation of the plant in Libiszów near Opoczno since 2016. The final stage of its modernisation was completed in 2021 and had a value of PLN 135 million (EUR 28.9 million). The expanded and developed plant resulted in increased processing capacity and the creation of 470 jobs. After all expansions, employment at PKP Intercity Remtrak will exceed 1,000 employees. Moreover, the company has been cooperating with educational institutions near Opoczno for almost two years. Thanks to this, students gained the opportunity to undergo apprenticeships, internships and practical classes at the plant.
From 2016 until the end of this year, the government invested PLN 100 billion (EUR 21.3 billion, in current prices) on Polish railways. In August, the Council of Ministers approved the updated railway strategy until 2030, which was previously designed to be implemented in 2023. The new plan for the development of the country’s railways includes investments worth PLN 170 billion (EUR 38 billion).
Share on:
