POLAND: Pesa delivered the first of 36 Krakowiak trams to Podgórze depot in Kraków on June 28. The tram is to undergo testing on the city’s network before entering service on routes 4 and 50, the busiest in the city.
‘The Krakowiak is a completely new vehicle, designed with only the residents of Kraków in mind’, said Pesa Chairman Tomasz Zaboklicki.
The 42·8 m long four-section tram from Pesa’s Twist family is the longest in Poland, and so had to be transported to Kraków on two low-loaders. The low-floor standard gauge vehicle has capacity for around 300 passengers.
The air-conditioned tram includes a passenger information system, two ticket vending machines and USB sockets for charging electronic devices. There are dedicated spaces for bicycles and luggage, as well as a ramp to help wheelchairs board.
City transport authority MPK Kraków selected Pesa as preferred bidder in December 2013, but the wait for EU funds delayed contract signing until July 3 2014. Of the 291·2m złoty cost, EU funds are to cover 171·8m złoty.
