Thales wins €182m contracts to modernise railway network in Poland
Thales has secured two contracts with Polish national rail infrastructure manager Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PKP PLK) that will allow the company to provide signalling and railway traffic control systems for two railway lines.
The contracts, which are worth a total €182m, give Thales permission to modernise the E20 Kunowice-Terespol line crossing Poland from Germany to Belarus and the E30 Kraków-Rzeszów line in Southern Poland.
The modernisation of the E20 line will cover 650km of distance, as well as include 25 stations and five local control centres in Mińsk Mazowiecki, Błonie, Opalenica, Zbąszynek and Rzepin.
The upgrade of the E30 line will cover 135km, including 16 stations and two local control centres in Tarnów and Rzeszów.
“Thales has been engaged in the process of modernisation of the Polish railway lines since 1998. We’re very glad that PKP PLK has decided to choose our signalling solution.”
Thales’s signalling systems will be carried out in compliance with the European standards for rail transport.
As part of the contracts, Thales will also implement the Level 2 European Rail Traffic Management System/European Train Control System (ERTMS/ETCS), a signalling system capable of reducing the number of incidents and ensuring the safe management of a large number of trains.
Upon completion, the upgrade is expected to allow the trains to reach speeds of 160km/h without hindering safety.
Thales Poland country director Pawel Piotrowski said: “Thales has been engaged in the process of modernisation of the Polish railway lines since 1998. We’re very glad that PKP PLK has decided to choose our signalling solution and trust us once again.
“This will let railway passengers take advantage of our high-tech equipment and systems and travel faster while enjoying a high level of safety and comfort.”
Thales currently employs more than 290 people in Poland and primarily provides new generations of rail signalling technologies to improve the country’s ground transportation sector
