Polish Railways have received a new safety authorization allowing the operation of infrastructure for speeds of up to 250 km/h. This was announced by the state company Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PLK).
"PLK meets the requirements for proper design and maintenance of infrastructure adapted to speeds of 250 km/h," the statement says.
The new authorization paves the way for increased train speeds, particularly on the Central Main Line (the section Grodzisk Mazowiecki – Zawiercie). The speed increase will be possible after the full implementation of the ETCS Level 2 system, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
According to the director of the PLK Safety Bureau, Włodzimierz Kiełczyński, the safety authorization is a signal to passengers about the complete safety of travel and the result of strategic investments in increasing the speed and safety of railway traffic.
The fastest trains in regular operation are in China (Fuxing Hao CR400AF/BF, 350 km/h), France, and Japan (320 km/h – TGV and Shinkansen respectively), and Germany (ICE trains, 300-320 km/h).
