Hitachi Rail and PESA Bydgoszcz have signed a strategic cooperation agreement aimed at expanding their presence in Poland’s rail sector, including plans for high-speed train production, technology transfer and future export opportunities across Central and Eastern Europe.
The partnership will focus on the development and manufacture of high-speed rolling stock, joint bids for double-decker train projects and the localisation of advanced rail technologies in Poland.
A central element of the agreement is a joint bid for a tender issued by PKP Intercity covering 20 electric multiple units capable of operating at speeds of at least 320 km/h, with an option for an additional 35 trains and a 30-year maintenance contract.
Under the proposed arrangement, the first 20 trains would be built at Hitachi Rail facilities in Italy. Production would then gradually incorporate PESA’s manufacturing capabilities in Bydgoszcz, with the Polish company taking on an increasing share of the work. PESA would also be responsible for maintaining the fleet in Poland.
The consortium intends to offer Hitachi Rail’s ETR1000 platform, a high-speed train currently operating on several European networks. The train is certified for use in multiple countries, including Germany, Austria, France and Italy, and is designed to accommodate different power supply and signalling systems across Europe.
Beyond the tender, the agreement includes provisions for technology transfer in areas where Poland’s rail manufacturing sector has limited experience. These include aluminium body-shell welding and double-deck train construction.
As part of the collaboration, new production facilities are planned in Bydgoszcz. The site is expected to become a centre for aluminium rail vehicle manufacturing and support future projects involving double-decker trains and other rolling stock programmes.
Krzysztof Zdziarski, Chief Executive of PESA Bydgoszcz, said:Our collaboration with Hitachi Rail, a global pioneer in high-speed rail and a leader in innovative railway technologies, marks a historic moment for us. Thanks to the technology transfer and the establishment of a centre of excellence for aluminium structures in Bydgoszcz, PESA is joining the European league of manufacturers of the fastest trains. This is not only a joint bid for PKP Intercity, but also the foundation for the production of modern double-decker trains at our Bydgoszcz plant for markets across the CEE region.
The partnership also reflects broader investment by the Hitachi Group in Poland. The company currently operates 26 locations and six factories in the country and employs around 7,000 people.
Looking ahead, Hitachi and PESA note that the agreement is intended to support cooperation beyond the Polish market. Future projects could include the production of high-speed and double-decker trains for customers across Central and Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. The product portfolio could also eventually expand to include inter-regional and metro rolling stock manufactured in Poland using aluminium construction technologies.
Stefano Santinelli, Senior Vice President, Chief Government, PA & Communications Officer, Hitachi Rail said:Partnering with PESA represents a key milestone in expanding our international footprint and advancing innovative rail solutions across Europe. By leveraging global expertise alongside strong local capabilities, we are actively contributing to a more connected, efficient and sustainable mobility ecosystem, in line with our long-term vision for the future of rail.
