50 modernized Combo railcars have been accepted by PKP Intercity after modernization by H. Cegielski Fabryka Pojazdów Szynowych in Poznań. They will run on holiday services to major tourist destinations, including Zakopane, Kołobrzeg, and the Tri-City.

50 modernized Combo railcars accepted by PKP
50 modernized Combo railcars accepted by PKP

The contract with FPS Rail Vehicle Factory was signed two years ago and covered the modernization of 50 railcars to the Combo standard. This configuration is designed for several passenger groups, including people with disabilities and reduced mobility, families travelling with children, and passengers carrying bicycles. PKP Intercity received the first modernized vehicles in early April and completed acceptance of the full batch by the end of May⁠.

50 modernized Combo railcars for TLK services

The Combo cars will be used on seasonal holiday trains, including TLK Kozica between Poznań and Zakopane and the TLK Pułaski and TLK Bursztyn services between Kraków and Kołobrzeg. They will also appear on year-round trains serving tourist destinations, including TLK Małopolska on the Trójmiasto–Zakopane route and TLK Osterwa between Szczecin and Zakopane. Twoje Linie Kolejowe, or TLK, is PKP Intercity’s economy-class train category.

The modernization project is worth PLN 351 million, or EUR 82.7 million. It is co-financed from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, known as KPO.

Comfort and passenger information

The modernized Combo cars offer a high level of comfort on economy InterCity services. Their bogies have been modernized, reducing noise and improving ride quality. Inside, passengers have access to individual or four-person tables, electrical sockets, USB charging points, and Wi-Fi.

The onboard passenger information system shows journey time, stations, and the temperature inside the car. The vehicles also include dedicated areas for bicycle transport.

Services, accessibility, and families

Combo cars are fitted with vending machines that provide drinks and snacks throughout the journey. The offer includes water, juices, coffee, tea, cookies, bars, and products for children.

The interior layout includes facilities for passengers with disabilities. A dedicated compartment provides two wheelchair spaces, three-point seat belts, SOS buttons, and controls for lighting and climate. Boarding is supported by a ramp, while automatic doors and a threshold-free floor make movement through the car easier. Braille signage is also provided.

For passengers travelling with children, the railcars include special compartments with child-friendly graphics. Seats can be joined together to form a resting area, and toilets are fitted with changing tables.

KPO-backed investment program

PKP Intercity currently has 165 Combo cars in operation. During the summer season, more units modernized under the KPO-co-financed investment program will be added to service.

The wider program covers the purchase of 56 modern locomotives and the modernization of 248 cars, including the 50 Combo cars manufactured by H. Cegielski FPS⁠. The contract for modernizing the 50 railcars was signed in April 2024. PKP Intercity has already received more than PLN 1.89 billion, or EUR 445 million, from European funds under the PNRR. This represents 87% of the allocated funding and is intended to support the operator’s investment program.