PKP Intercity and Alstom have signed a contract for the delivery of 42 Coradia Max double-deck electric multiple units (EMUs), along with 30 years of comprehensive maintenance. The value of the contract is PLN 6.9 billion (approximately EUR 1.6 billion), and the agreement also includes an option for the purchase of an additional 30 trainsets. The new trains are expected to set new standards for comfort, durability, and sustainable mobility on Poland’s busiest routes.
The signing ceremony took place at Alstom’s facility in Chorzów, one of the company’s largest and most advanced production sites. The Coradia Max units will be manufactured there, while the bogies — one of the key structural components — will be produced at Alstom’s site in Nadarzyn near Warsaw.
“Just as the Pendolino once transformed Polish rail, Coradia Max will revolutionize long-distance travel. This is excellent news for the millions of our passengers, whose numbers are growing at a record pace from month to month. The new fleet will improve the quality and comfort of travel and significantly increase capacity,” said Janusz Malinowski, CEO of PKP Intercity.
Production in Poland and Strong Involvement of Local Engineering Teams
The new fleet will be designed with substantial contributions from Polish engineering teams and assembled in the country. Andrew DeLeone, President of Alstom Europe, emphasized Poland’s strategic importance for the company:
“Poland is at the heart of Alstom’s global innovation strategy. Our teams here create technologies and solutions that serve passengers across Europe and beyond. With Coradia Max, we are once again raising the bar for sustainable mobility — these trains are designed and built in Poland, with Polish passengers in mind. A decade after the Pendolino revolutionized intercity travel, together with PKP Intercity we are taking another step forward, delivering a fleet that is faster, greener, and more comfortable than ever before.”
The trains will reach speeds of up to 200 km/h and will feature a configuration of four double-deck coaches and two single-level end cars, offering more than 550 seats. They will also be capable of operating in double formation.
“InterCity double-deck trains will represent a completely new standard on Polish tracks — fast, spacious, modern, and comfortable, while remaining accessible in the economy category. Passengers from cities such as Warsaw, Gdańsk, Łódź, Olsztyn, Wrocław, Kraków, Białystok, and Terespol will benefit. We aim for the first units to enter service in about three and a half years,” Malinowski added.
30 Years of Maintenance and Comprehensive Digital Diagnostics
Alstom will be responsible for maintaining the entire fleet for 30 years. The scope includes scheduled inspections, repairs, upgrades, and cleaning of the trains. Support will be provided by the Fleet Support Center and the HealthHub platform, which uses predictive diagnostic tools.
This system will make it possible to detect potential failures in advance, ensuring high fleet availability and minimizing downtime throughout the trains’ operational life.
Passenger Equipment and Onboard Features
Coradia Max trains will be equipped with, among others:
- air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, power outlets and individual lighting,
- large luggage areas, spaces for bicycles and strollers,
- quiet zones, family compartments, and a bistro car,
- wide doors and layouts that optimize passenger flow.
Accessibility for passengers with disabilities will be ensured through a step-free design for 760 mm platforms and automatic lifts for other platform heights.
The trains will operate under two power systems (3 kV / 25 kV), making them suitable for international routes, including to the Czech Republic.
Continuation of Long-Term Cooperation
The newly signed agreement strengthens the long-standing partnership between PKP Intercity and Alstom. Over a decade ago, the manufacturer supplied 20 Pendolino trainsets that significantly improved rail travel standards in Poland. Like the Pendolino, Coradia Max is also covered by a 30-year maintenance contract.
Beata Rusinowicz, Managing Director of Alstom in Poland, highlighted the significance of the order for the domestic market:
“We are proud that PKP Intercity has chosen double-deck trains manufactured in Poland and that they will be produced at our facility, setting new standards for regional and interregional travel for decades to come. This marks a return to the roots of the Chorzów plant, which for years supplied trams to Polish cities and cars for the Warsaw metro. Our entire team is committed to taking on this challenge for PKP Intercity and for Polish passengers.”
The implementation of the contract will involve cooperation with nearly 800 Polish companies and subcontractors.
