PKP Intercity’s technical centers form the backbone of the entire railway operating system, as this is where trains are prepared, inspected, and maintained under conditions that ensure their daily operation meets high standards of safety and comfort. Without these specialized facilities, the operator’s ability to support long-distance routes and the ever-increasing frequency of connections would be significantly limited.
As part of the modernization program for PKP Intercity facilities, the operator has decided to refurbish eight technical centers and maintenance depots located in Gdynia, Kołobrzeg, Kraków, Olsztyn, Przemyśl, Szczecin, Warsaw, and Wrocław. The technical centers in Olsztyn, Kraków, Kołobrzeg, Szczecin, and Wrocław have already been modernized, and new rolling stock washing facilities have been put into operation in Kraków, Wrocław, and Warsaw.
Between 2025 and 2030, the Polish long-distance rail operator plans to invest approximately 3.2 billion PLN (about 765.4 million EUR) in the modernization of technical centers and rail marshalling yards. These investments are primarily aimed at adapting the existing infrastructure to support an increasing number of modern rail vehicles, thereby strengthening the network’s operational capacity and the efficiency of maintenance processes.
PKP Intercity’s Technical Center in Przemyśl – Project Underway
Construction of PKP Intercity’s technical center in Przemyśl, located in southeastern Poland, has reached an advanced stage, with approximately 70% of the work completed. Approximately 80% of the railway infrastructure for the marshalling yard and the electrification system components have been completed, and the entire project is scheduled for completion this year.
For this project, the operator signed a EUR 79 million contract in 2024 with a consortium comprising KZN Rail and Wadom W. Małkowiak to reconstruct this facility and build a rolling stock washing station.
This new, modern maintenance center will become a key hub for the maintenance, overhaul, and preparation of passenger rolling stock before it is put into service. An important component of the investment is the eco-friendly solutions integrated from the design phase: power from renewable energy sources, a year-round washing facility, and water recirculation systems, including the reuse of rainwater.
Complex infrastructure works
At the site of PKP Intercity’s new technical center in Przemyśl, work is underway to both modernize the existing infrastructure and construct entirely new elements designed to increase the operational efficiency of passenger train services.
A large part of the railway and technical infrastructure work has already been completed. This includes electrification networks, underground infrastructure, water and sewage systems, telecommunications, power supply, and railway traffic control systems.
The central element of the investment is the maintenance and repair hall, an integral part of PKP Intercity’s technical center, which will also include a permanently operational eco-friendly wash facility, as well as technical and social spaces. The building, with a volume of nearly 80,000 m³, will serve periodic inspections and the preparation of trains for daily operation.
Currently, approximately 19 trains per day operate from Przemyśl, and upon completion of the project, this number is expected to increase to 22 daily connections, strengthening the strategic role of the railway hub.
PKP Intercity representatives emphasize that the modernization of the station and PKP Intercity’s technical center will enable an increase in operational capacity, improved working conditions for technical teams, and the creation of approximately 150 new jobs, particularly due to the new wash facility and related infrastructure. In addition, Przemyśl will become one of the company’s key hubs in southeastern Poland.
Expanded infrastructure for operational efficiency
The project also includes the expansion of the rail yard, which will reach a final configuration of 10 tracks and 29 switches, with a total track length of approximately 6 km.
The new hub will be equipped with modern systems for diagnostics, maintenance, heating, and pre-departure preparation of trains, which will enable more efficient management of operational flow.
Some of PKP Intercity’s longest routes are operated from Przemyśl, including connections to Świnoujście and Ustka, with distances exceeding 1,000 km. The development of PKP Intercity’s technical center enables the expansion of these connections and an improvement in service quality on long-distance routes.
Eco-friendly washing facility and sustainable solutions
A key element of PKP Intercity’s technical center in Przemyśl is the rolling stock wash facility, designed for year-round operation. This will enable the complete cleaning of trains, both stationary and in motion, regardless of weather conditions, including the effective removal of graffiti.
Currently, approximately 85% of the technical equipment for the wash facility has already been installed, and completion of the installation is scheduled for May 2026, followed by the testing, calibration, and commissioning phase.
The washing facility will operate on a closed-loop water system, featuring water treatment and reuse, as well as a rainwater collection system. These solutions significantly reduce water consumption and environmental impact, aligning the project with the company’s sustainability goals.
Green Energy and the Future of Rail Transport
The investment’s eco-friendly nature is further reinforced by the integration of photovoltaic systems installed on the hall and the control building. These will cover approximately 15% of the marshalling yard’s energy needs, with the remainder of consumption supplied by renewable sources.
PKP Intercity’s technical center in Przemyśl is part of the company’s broader strategy to modernize infrastructure and reduce its environmental impact. In the coming years, PKP Intercity aims for an increasing share of its energy consumption to come from green sources, with the goal of reaching up to 50% renewable energy by 2030 and full use of green energy in certain operational segments by 2026–2027.
Thus, the investment in Przemyśl is not merely an infrastructure project, but an important step in transforming PKP Intercity’s technical center into a central element of the transition toward modern, efficient, and sustainable rail transport.
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