Silesian Metropolitan Region with 73 new electric buses. GLIWICE, Świerklaniec, Katowice, Sosnowiec

The Silesian-Copperbelt Metropolis (GZM) is a union of dozens of cities and municipalities in Silesia and Lesser Poland that is responsible, among other things, for public transportation within its area. The metropolis has just completed the delivery of 73 new electric buses, with the latest batch of 7 buses and 4 chargers arriving in Gliwice. Previous batches were sent to Sosnowiec, Katowice, and Świerklańce.

Electric Solaris and Irizar Buses in GZM

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Electric Solaris and Irizar Buses in GZM

Hydrogen Buses

The total value of all tenders for buses and chargers is 305 million zlotys, with a large portion of this amount funded by the National Reconstruction Plan (KPO). Out of the 73 electric buses, the largest number were allocated to the Metropolitan Transportation Company in Świerklańce: 49 vehicles and 30 chargers. PKM Katowice received 9 buses and 5 chargers, PKM Sosnowiec received 8 buses and 6 chargers, and now PKM Gliwice has received 7 buses and 4 chargers (source).

31 vehicles were supplied by the Spanish company Irizar, while 42 electric buses came from Solaris’ factory (part of the Spanish CAF Group). The total fleet of all operators operating under GZM amounts to nearly 1,900 vehicles, a significant portion of which are electric, hybrid, and natural gas-powered buses. Chargers are installed in depots, with one located at the loop on Kościuszki Street in Będzin. There are slower versions for overnight charging, as well as fast versions used for charging during breaks on routes.

Hydrogen buses

GZM is also opening up to the most expensive versions of zero-emission transportation. In January 2026, 8 Neso hydrogen buses were received, with 5 going to Katowice and 3 joining PKM Tychy’s fleet. Thanks to funding from KPO, municipalities will primarily bear the cost of fuel, although they note that “[hydrogen] is not among the cheapest” (source). Interestingly, fuel cells have a shorter warranty period than the batteries that stabilize their operation, at 10 and 15 years respectively. The buses will be refueled at the Orlen station in Katowice.

Hydrogen GZM, the company responsible for purchasing the hydrogen vehicles, also decided to acquire 18 articulated electric buses along with chargers.

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