Hitachi Rail and PESA Submit Joint Bid for PKP Intercity 20-Train 320 km/h Fleet

Hitachi Rail and Poland's PESA Bydgoszcz have signed a strategic cooperation agreement and submitted a joint bid for PKP Intercity's tender for 20 high-speed electric multiple units capable of 320 km/h, with an option for 35 additional trains and a 30-year maintenance contract.

The partnership marks Poland's first domestic involvement in very high-speed rolling stock production. The agreement includes technology transfer for aluminium body-shell welding and double-deck train construction, with new production facilities planned at PESA's Bydgoszcz site. PESA employs 7,000 staff and has manufactured regional and inter-city rolling stock but has not previously built trains exceeding 250 km/h. Hitachi Rail brings expertise from its ETR1000 Frecciarossa fleet for Italy's Trenitalia and similar high-speed platforms.

The first 20 trains would be manufactured at Hitachi Rail's facilities in Italy, with production gradually transitioning to PESA's Bydgoszcz plant as technology transfer progresses. The arrangement includes establishment of aluminium welding capabilities and tooling for high-speed train assembly in Poland. PKP Intercity has not disclosed a contract award timeline or estimated procurement value for the tender.

The partnership targets export opportunities across Central and Eastern Europe and Scandinavia beyond the Polish domestic market. Poland's high-speed rail programme, which includes planned new lines and upgrades to existing corridors for 250-320 km/h operation, requires rolling stock compatible with both conventional and dedicated high-speed infrastructure. PESA's existing portfolio includes the Dart EMU for regional services and the Gama locomotive platform, while Hitachi Rail has supplied high-speed trains to Italy, the United Kingdom and Japan. The joint bid competes against established European high-speed train manufacturers including Alstom, Siemens Mobility, Stadler and Talgo, several of which have submitted proposals for PKP Intercity's tender.

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