Kraków Boosts Transit with Pesa Tram Deal

Kraków Secures Major Tram Deal with Pesa Bydgoszcz. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Kraków’s city council signed a $450 million contract with Pesa for 90 trams. This agreement, finalized on April 3, upgrades public transport significantly.

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Officials structured the deal around three distinct tendering lots for flexibility and efficiency. These include 30 bidirectional trams spanning 32 to 34 meters and two unidirectional batches.

The first batch features 30 bidirectional trams measuring 32 to 34 meters in length. City operator MPK Kraków prioritizes these for a new northwest tramway to Azory.

Another lot covers 30 unidirectional trams, also ranging from 32 to 34 meters long. Meanwhile, the third batch includes 30 longer unidirectional trams stretching 42 to 45 meters.

MPK Kraków plans to deploy the bidirectional trams across multiple routes for better service. Consequently, this move retires all outdated high-floor trams lacking air-conditioning by next year.

The operator already requested EU co-financing for this batch from a 2021-2027 program. Specifically, the European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, and Environment supports this upgrade.

On March 31, MPK Kraków secured $32 million in EU grants for prior tram purchases. The company now redirects these funds toward acquiring the new trams from Pesa.

Pesa Delivers Cutting-Edge Trams to Kraków

Funding for the remaining 60 trams hinges on sources like the EU Recovery & Resilience Fund. Thus, MPK Kraków actively pursues financial backing to complete the order.

Rafał Świerczyński, MPK Kraków’s management board president, emphasized their commitment to securing funds quickly. He added that the team aims to order all 90 trams eventually.

The Twist 3.0 trams boast a 100% low-floor design with steerable bogies and lightweight bodies. Additionally, they feature energy recovery and storage systems for sustainability and efficiency.

Krzysztof Zdziarski, Pesa’s management board president, highlighted the deal’s significance for both parties. He noted that the company delivered Poland’s most modern trams a decade ago.

Pesa Enhances Kraków’s Transit Future

Ten years later, the manufacturer returns with advanced Twist 3.0 trams for Kraków’s streets. Zdziarski proudly stated that these vehicles offer comfort, eco-friendliness, and quiet operation.

Kraków’s investment in modern trams underscores its dedication to improving urban mobility and sustainability. Therefore, residents can expect a more reliable and greener public transport system soon.

This contract marks a pivotal step in upgrading the city’s aging tram fleet efficiently. And with EU support, Kraków aims to lead Poland in innovative transportation solutions.

Source: www.railwaygazette.com

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