PKP Intercity signs with sister company Remtrak for rolling stock maintenance

Published on 15-09-2023 at 07:30

Polish ministry and PKP officials announce the contract PKP Intercity

PKP Intercity signed a contract for periodic repairs of 330 passenger cars with PKP Intercity Remtrak, a company belonging to the same capital group. State secretary of infrastructure Andrzej Bittel called Remtrak “one of the key entities in the implementation of PKP Intercity’s ambitious development plans”.

The contract will cover periodic repairs of 330 wagons at the fourth stage of maintenance, called P4. This type of repairs are performed every 3 to 5 years. The technical condition of the vehicle is then carefully checked and components and assemblies are replaced as planned. The works will last no longer than 12 months from the moment the contract is signed. As part of the modification of existing functionalities, in addition to planned repairs, PKP Intercity Remtrak will modify the passenger information system in 159 carriages and retrofit the air conditioning system with UV lamps in 194 carriages.

New life for rolling stock plant

The modernisation will be carried out, among others, at the plant in Idzikowice, and the contract value will be PLN 214 million net, or around 46 million euros. “I am happy to see the development of this plant, which was doomed to failure by some a few years ago. However, investments made in recent years have allowed for a huge technological leap”, said Robert Telus, Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Today, the plant can perform advanced repairs of rolling stock, which is confirmed by the contract concluded with PKP Intercity.”

In 2021, PKP Intercity Remtrak completed the modernisation of the plant in Idzikowice, which started in 2016. For over PLN 150 million (32 million euros). two repair halls were built and a facility intended for repairs of locomotives and wagons. A battery room and warehouses for components were also constructed. The external and internal technical infrastructure and the existing track system were also rebuilt. The completion of the modernisation of the branch in Idzikowice enabled PKP Intercity to perform and provide 100 per cent of periodic repairs at the 3rd, 4th and 5th level of maintenance for all types of wagons, all of the wheel sets and 60 per cent of repairs to electric locomotives.

The agreement between the carrier and the rolling stock repair plants also covers periodic inspections of wagons after 18 months of operation or after reaching the mileage specified in the documentation. Of PKP Intercity Remtrak plants, the one in Idzikowice will carry out periodic inspections of 326 wagons at the third maintenance level. The companies agreed that the inspection of one vehicle will last no longer than 20 calendar days. The entire agreement will be valid for 30 months.

PKP strategy

Earlier this summer, PKP Group announced that it will support the development PKP Intercity Remtrak with an amount of up to PLN 40 million (8.6 million euros). This is a continuation of the expansion of the carrier’s own repair capabilities and another stage of strengthening the rolling stock repair company.
“Today in Opoczno we have a modern company that can implement huge, technologically complex contracts. This was our goal: to support strategic companies, modernise them, provide them with development and stable jobs”, said Maciej Małecki, Secretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets.

RailTech is organising the next edition of the Intelligent Rail Summit in Warsaw, Poland on 6 & 7 November 2023 about data-driven monitoring and maintenance. Visit the website for more information.