PKP Intercity has secured more than PLN 1 billion (EUR 236 million) in funding from Poland’s National Recovery Plan (NRRP, KPO in Polish) for the to support of rolling stock purchase and modernisation projects. Most recently, the Polish long-distance rail operator received a second tranche of PLN 147 million (EUR 34.7 million) from a total KPO allocation of PLN 2.16 billion (EUR 509.6 million), scheduled through to 2026.
In October 2024, the company signed an agreement with the Centre for EU Transport Projects (CUPT) for non-repayable support amounting to PLN 2.16 billion under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. EU funding will cover over 94% of eligible costs.
The first tranche of PLN 874.5 million (EUR 206.3 million) was disbursed in April 2025, followed by the second in May. These funds are being used to finance the acquisition of 56 state-of-the-art Griffin electric locomotives, valued at PLN 1 billion (EUR 236 million), and the modernisation of 248 carriages worth PLN 1.2 billion (EUR 283 million). Completion of all investments is required by mid-2026 as a condition of the grant.
The new Griffin locomotives, capable of speeds up to 160 km/h, will enhance the speed, safety and reliability of rail services across Poland. Meanwhile, the upgraded carriages will offer improved comfort and amenities, including ergonomic seats with tables, individual lighting, air conditioning, and advanced passenger information systems.
Among the refurbished vehicles are 50 specially designed Combo carriages, tailored to the needs of diverse passenger groups, such as people with disabilities, families with children, older passengers, and cyclists.
The new and modernised rolling stock will serve routes across almost the entire country. The service network will include major cities such as Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Białystok, Gdańsk and Poznań, as well as smaller towns including Piła, Hajnówka, Lubartów, Sieradz, Krotoszyn, Kalisz, Lubliniec, Zakopane, and Piotrków Trybunalski.
All contracts funded under the KPO are being delivered exclusively by Polish manufacturers. Carriage modernisation is being carried out by H. Cegielski – Fabryka Pojazdów Szynowych in Poznań, Pesa’s facilities in Bydgoszcz and Mińsk Mazowiecki, and PKP Intercity Remtrak. The electric locomotives are being supplied by Newag, headquartered in Nowy Sącz.
PKP Intercity has benefitted from EU funding since 2007. So far, EU co-financing has supported 14 rolling stock purchase and modernisation projects, 12 of which have been completed. The total amount of EU funding awarded to date exceeds PLN 5.3 billion (EUR 1.2 billion), supporting projects with a combined value of PLN 11 billion (EUR 2.6 billion).
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