Court Upholds PKP Intercity Double-Deck Train Tender

A Polish court has upheld the PKP Intercity double-deck train tender, dismissing Stadler Polska’s challenge and leaving Alstom’s contract for 42 Coradia Max electric multiple units in place.

Court ruling closes the procurement dispute

On 14 July 2026, PKP Intercity said⁠ the court had dismissed in full Stadler Polska’s challenge to a ruling by Poland’s National Appeals Chamber, known as KIO. The judges found no irregularities in the procurement and no breach of the principles of fair competition or equal treatment of bidders.

PKP Intercity opened bids from Alstom Polska and Stadler Polska in July 2025. Following its technical and financial evaluation, the operator selected Alstom’s offer. Stadler challenged that decision before KIO, which rejected the appeal, and then took the chamber’s ruling to court. PKP Intercity signed the Alstom contract on 12 November 2025 while the dispute continued.

“Today’s ruling brings an end to the dispute concerning one of the largest and most important rolling stock procurement procedures in PKP Intercity’s history,” said Janusz Malinowski, chairman of PKP Intercity.

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Contract could cover up to 72 trains

The base order covers 42 electric multiple units and 30 years of maintenance, while an option could add another 30 trains and expand the fleet to 72 units. The vehicles are valued at PLN 4.1 billion (EUR 964 million), and the maintenance package at nearly PLN 2.8 billion (EUR 659 million), taking the combined contract value to PLN 6.9 billion (EUR 1.62 billion).

According to Alstom⁠, each six-car Coradia Max will combine four double-deck end cars with two single-deck intermediate cars, providing more than 550 seats and a maximum speed of 200 km/h. The dual-voltage units will operate on 3 kV and 25 kV power systems, enabling use in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Passenger capacity and manufacturing in Poland

Final assembly will take place at Alstom’s Chorzów plant, while the bogies will be produced at Nadarzyn near Warsaw. The trains will serve PKP Intercity’s busiest domestic routes, including connections involving Warsaw, Gdańsk, Łódź, Olsztyn, Wrocław, Kraków, Białystok and Terespol.

Passenger equipment will include air conditioning, Wi-Fi, power sockets, reading lights, quiet zones, family compartments, bicycle and stroller spaces, and a bistro area. Step-free boarding will be available from 760 mm platforms, with automatic lifts intended for other platform heights.

At the contract signing, PKP Intercity said it wanted the first passengers to board the new trains in about three and a half years.

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