POLISH public transport operator MPK Kraków has signed a contract worth Zlotys 558.5m ($US 152.5m) with Pesa Bydgoszcz for the supply of 30 bi-directional low-floor LRVs. The new fleet is due to be introduced between early 2028 and early 2029.
The 33m-long LRVs will be equipped with air-conditioning, in-car CCTV and a passenger information system adapted to the needs of blind and visually-impaired passengers. Each LRV will have a dedicated wheelchair space.
Equipped with a cab at each end, the first bi-directional LRVs ordered for Kraków in recent years will be able to operate on current and planned routes without turning loops, also providing additional flexibility during line closures for track renewal work.
Purchasing the new fleet represents “a significant financial challenge,” according to MPK Kraków CEO, Rafał Świerczyński. This year MPK has signed agreements guaranteeing non-repayable subsidy of Zlotys 481m from Krakow Public Transport Authority (KPO), and Zlotys 74m from Poland’s European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, Environment (FEnIKS) programme.
“We have also applied for preferential loans from KPO worth Zlotys 750m, which we intend to use to purchase further new LRVs,” says Świerczyński. Earlier this year, MPK signed three separate frameworks with Pesa, including one covering the supply of up to 30 bi-directional LRVs.
The other frameworks cover the supply of up to 30 uni-directional LRVs over 43m long, and 30 uni-directional LRVs over 33m long.
“After the contract is completed, Kraków will become a city whose entire LRV fleet will consist exclusively of low-floor vehicles,” says mayor of Kraków, Aleksander Miszalski.
For detailed data on European LRV orders, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
