New Pendolino trains in Poland: not so fast …
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
11.04.2014 11:23
The first units of the much-hyped fast Pendolino trains, manufactured by French firm Alstom, will only travel at speeds of up to 160 km/h and not 250 km/h as originally planned.
PKP Intercity's new Pendolino train. Image: PKP
Pendolino, photo -PKP Intercity
Polish railways PKP ordered twenty new trainsets, with the first expected to arrive in Poland in May. However, the first units will not be able to travel as fast as stipulated in the specifications laid out in the original tender.
Speaking to Polish Radio on Friday morning, deputy prime minister and minister of the economy, Janusz Piechocinski stated that the deal should be renegotiated if need be.
“We ordered and paid for other Pendelino rail stock than the manufacturer is now proposing,” Piechocinski said.
“We must see an effective enforcement on the part of PKP SA and PKP Intercity of [Alstom’s] obligations,” he added.
The opposition Law and Justice party filed a motion as early as last December to the Supreme Audit Chamber regarding the purchase of the Pendolino rolling stock. Piechocinski underlined that he supports the move. (jb)