PESA wins €1.2 billion contract with Deutsche Bahn

German state rail operator Deutsche Bahn said on Wednesday it had awarded its first-ever contract to Poland's PESA for up to 470 new locomotives for a total 1.2 billion euros ($1.6 billion).

"Deutsche Bahn has signed two framework agreements with Polish manufacturer PESA (Pojazdy Szynowe PESA Bydgoszcz Spolka Akcyjna) regarding the possible delivery of up to 470 diesel locomotives," the German company said in a statement.

"The possible investment volume is up to 1.2 billion euros," with the locomotives to be delivered up until the end of 2018, it said.

"It is Deutsche Bahn's first-ever major contract with PESA on the supply of rail vehicles," said the head of the German group's infrastructure and technical division, Volker Kefer.

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Excellent news for the Polish rail industry. Let's just hope that these trains fit through the tunnels they need to run through.

Harry, that comment is not entirely fair.
PESA built excellent trains for Warsaw. It were the PKP idiots who got the measurements wrong.
Their Swing trams here in Warsaw are in my opinion very good.

I'm not so sure: those things need way more ventilation in summer and in winter the snow knocks off those plates which cover the wheels. The only really good thing about those trams are the ticket machines on them (although I can see how some people would appreciate the absence of steps).

Well, when it was so hot during this summer, I always felt relieved to step in a swing. I think Warsaw's public transport is very fast getting up to date...

Last Ikarus buses getting phased out....Two things could be improved though...The driving style of some of the bus drivers, which is atrocious...And the smelly vagabonds on bus and tram (curiously you do not meet them on the metro, I always wondered why).

Yep. PESA got the contract because Deutsche Bahn's previous suppliers Siemens and Bombardier were selling them trains will flaws, damaging it's reputation. PESA was chosen namely for it's safety, the trains can take a head on collision with another train, or hit a truck passing tracks.

Their trams and trains are well-made and are good PR for this country. Poland has good companies who turn out good products.
The same goes for the Solaris buses. Although the layout of the seats in the slightly less recent ones is not optimal. The fact that the drivers are often...abysmal... well...

And I do not understand why the hybrid buses have to be painted in such idiotic colours.

Had nothing to do with the bidding, it seems:

Quote:
"A spokesperson for Siemens engineering group told DAPD news agency Wednesday that the firm had not participated in the tender for the train contract because Siemens did not produce the diesel-driven locomotives Deutsche Bahn had requested."

I still think (as an avoid public transport user) that PESA makes good stuff.
And Solaris buses are driving around everywhere in Berlin.
I am not an engineer, rather a logistics guy, but I am happy they do good business, both of them.