After Poland was granted the rights to organize European football championships, PKP Intercity decided to buy TGV trains faster than planned before. “We have decided to buy 20 trains within 2-3 years”, Czeslaw Warsewicz, PKP IC CEO.
The feasibility study of the project is being conducted already. According to initial estimates, 20 trains will cost EUR 380m, or PLN 1.5 billion. The project will be financed fifty-fifty from the company’s own funds and EU funds.
PKP IC wants to get funds from EU transport program for the years 2007-2013. The company has its own fund. Last year, it had PLN 32m of net income. This year should be similar with record first quarter results - for the first time in history, the company had net income in the first quarter which is traditionally very difficult for railways. Besides, the company can borrow money.
“We can get PLN 200m even today”, Czeslaw Warsewicz assured.
According to initial itinerary, first TGV trains would start operations in Poland in 2010-2011. The problem is that the railway infrastructure is too old in some parts to go faster then 160km/h, and there are sections where trains have to slow down to several dozens km/h. It is up to PKP Polskie Koleje Liniowe, the company responsible for the railway infrastructure, whether TGV trains will be able to go fast in Poland.