The Upper Silesian–Zagłębie Metropolis (GZM) and the Marshal’s Office of the Silesian Voivodeship have submitted applications for EU co-financing to jointly procure 32 electric multiple units.
Funding applications have been filed with the Centre for EU Transport Projects. A decision on co-financing is expected no earlier than the second half of 2026. The base order is conditional on securing this funding.
The joint procurement structure is intended to increase the scale of the contract and improve pricing conditions, while also widening the pool of potential rolling stock suppliers. It would be GZM’s first direct rolling stock purchase since the metropolitan authority was established in 2017.
The EMUs are specified for a maximum speed of 160 km/h and a minimum capacity of 380 passengers, including at least 185 fixed seats. Each train would be fitted with two toilets, one of them accessible, and equipped with air conditioning, passenger information systems, power outlets, bicycle spaces, a family area and an onboard AED.
Accessibility features specified in the tender assumptions include induction loops, clearly marked wheelchair-access doors, floor pictograms, contrasting handholds and designated wheelchair spaces. Colour-coded priority seating areas, already used across GZM’s bus and tram networks, are also planned.
The vehicles are to be equipped with passenger counting systems. Trains operated for GZM would additionally be fitted with metropolitan ticket validators to support fare integration with buses, trams and trolleybuses.
Under the current schedule, the first EMUs for GZM could be delivered in the second quarter of 2029. All new rolling stock is expected to be in service from December 2029, coinciding with the introduction of a new timetable and the launch of Metrorail operations.
As a prerequisite for applying for EU funding, GZM has published a prior information notice announcing its intention to tender for a rail operator to run Metrorail services from 2029. The operator procurement procedure is scheduled to be launched in February 2027. If GZM proceeds with the purchase, the trains would be provided to the selected operator under a free-use arrangement, with the operator responsible for staffing and day-to-day operation.
