Warsaw – Krakow in 2 hours 10 minutes. Warsaw – Gdansk in 3 hours 6 minutes. Warsaw – Wroclaw in 3 hours 28 minutes. Today, it’s just a dream but in several year’s time it may become true. In 2012, fast-speed trains will start operations in Poland. At the beginning of August, PKP Intercity (PKP IC) will launch a tender to deliver 20 such trains running at 250km/h. The tender should be concluded till June 2009. First trains would start operations in April 2012, i.e. before EURO2012.
The value of the project is estimated at PLN 1.3-1.5bn (EUR 403-465m). Funds will come from the company’s own funds, money raised on the WSE (the debut is planned at the end of 2009), bonds, bank credits and EU funds. The company hopes for up to 50 percent of necessary funds from Brussels. With high-speed trains, PKP IC will be able to compete with airlines. In Europe, people choose the train whenever it is possible to reach the location within about 2 hours. In Poland, distance from Warsaw to main cities may be reached at that time.
(PLN 1 = EUR 0.310)