Akiem and Bombardier launch innovative TRAXX DC locomotive in Poland

• Rail industry’s most modern four-axle direct current locomotive for Poland launched at Bombardier’s Wroclaw site
• Launch emphasises commitment to manufacturing, operation and services localisation in Poland

BERLIN, Feb. 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

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Mobility technology leader Bombardier Transportation and rolling stock leasing company Akiem introduced the innovative BOMBARDIER TRAXX DC3 locomotive for Poland today during a media event at Bombardier’s site in Wroclaw, Poland. The TRAXX DC3 locomotive is now the most modern and efficient locomotive operating under direct current in Poland.

As the official launch customer, Akiem ordered 20 of these locomotives in November 2018, under contracts for a total of 33 TRAXX AC, DC and MS locomotives. The 33 locomotives are scheduled for delivery between 2019 and 2021.

Fabien Rochefort, CEO of Akiem, said, “We’re proud to have been serving a large number of Polish customers operating domestic and international traffic for more than five years. We have decided to commit further to the growth and performance of rail transport in Poland as well as in Central Europe by investing in some 30 new locomotives dedicated to Polish domestic and cross-border operations. Our fleet will count no fewer than 180 TRAXX locomotives by 2020, among which will be 55 locomotives operable in Poland. We are officially opening an office in Warsaw to support the development of both Akiem and mgw Service in this region and we’re delighted to embed new local skills and expertise to better serve our customers.”

Peter Ammann, Head of Global Ecosystem Freight Corridors, Bombardier Transportation, emphasized, “This project shows once again that we are supporting the Polish economy by producing carbodies for the domestic market and exporting them almost worldwide – including more than 2,400 locomotive car-bodies so far. Every single carbody for our European and North American locomotives comes from our site here in Wroclaw. This recent contract with our long-term partner Akiem has also extended the scope of our innovative TRAXX DC3 locomotive, the most advanced in Europe, to Poland, where the previous generation of TRAXX locomotives has been operating reliably.”

Bombardier and Akiem are displaying their expertise in the rail sector by offering a wide portfolio of products, rail traffic control systems and services in Poland. Bombardier is busy at its four Polish manufacturing sites, with a total of 2,800 employees and engineering sites in addition to two permanent service depots, and Akiem has opened a new office in Warsaw and built a strong network of local partners. For the operators of TRAXX locomotives, the companies’ services include spare parts management, maintenance and a support hotline, all of which are managed by Polish teams.

With the new generation of locomotives, Bombardier offers the rail market’s most modern and comprehensive range of electric four-axle locomotives. Its three models, TRAXX AC3, TRAXX MS3 and TRAXX DC3, cover Europe’s mainline applications under all four catenaries and offer optional Last Mile function, a support diesel engine which bridges non-electrified sections. The new locomotives are based on the successful TRAXX platform, with 18 years of experience and more than 2,000 vehicles currently in operation in Europe.

About Akiem Group
Akiem Group is a major player in locomotive leasing and related services in Europe. It has the benefit of the maintenance network of its subsidiary, mgw Service, which specialises in rail equipment maintenance. As the owner of a 440-strong locomotive fleet, Akiem Group generates revenue of 140 million euros with some 50 customers, who operate in freight or passenger transport in most of the European countries. Almost 150 employees based in France, Germany, Sweden, Italy and Poland work for the leasing and maintenance business units of Akiem Group, which is held by Transport et Logistique Partenaires and DWS.

About Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is a global mobility solution provider leading the way with the rail industry’s broadest portfolio. It covers the full spectrum of solutions, ranging from trains to sub-systems and signalling to complete turnkey transport systems, e-mobility technology and data-driven maintenance services. Combining technology and performance with empathy, Bombardier Transportation continuously breaks new ground in sustainable mobility by providing integrated solutions that create substantial benefits for operators, passengers and the environment. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Bombardier Transportation employs around 40,650 people and its products and services operate in over 60 countries.

About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world’s leading manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our 68,000 employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada and our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, we posted revenues of $16.2 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

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Bombardier and TRAXX are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

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