Czech railway news – Page 5
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NewsBrno area route modernisation underway
CZECH REPUBLIC: Subterra, OHLA ŽS and EŽ Praha have begun work to complete double tracking and 25 kV 50 Hz electrification of the Brno – Zastávka u Brna line. The first 8·5 km from Brno-Horní Heršpice to Střelice was completed in September 2021. Work is now ...
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NewsŠkoda developing battery-electric multiple-unit
CZECH REPUBLIC: Škoda Transportation is developing a battery-electric multiple-unit for national operator České Dráhy. The Type 15Ev3 BEMU is based on Škoda’s Class 650.2 RegioPanter two-car EMU, and will be capable of operating under 3 kV DC or 25 kV 50 Hz electrification, and by using ...
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NewsRegioJet orders cross-city EMUs
CZECH REPUBLIC: RegioJet exercised an option to order seven more Class 654 Elf.eu EMUs from Pesa on November 4. The three-car EMUs will be used on Praha cross-city services S49 and S61 from December 2024. The dual-system 3 kV DC/25 kV 50 Hz low-floor EMUs are derived ...
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NewsČD Night brand aims to raise the profile of sleeper trains
CZECH REPUBLIC: National operator České Dráhy has introduced the ČD Night brand with the aim of raising the profile of its overnight trains, ahead of the launch of a route from Praha to Zürich via Germany with the December timetable change. On October 24 the operator ...
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NewsČD calls tenders for long-distance and suburban EMU fleets
CZECH REPUBLIC: National operator České Dráhy has called bids for two framework contracts covering the supply of up to 150 dual-voltage electric multiple-units. Both the tender for up to 90 four-car EMUs to operate suburban services issued on November 18 and that for 60 long-distance trainsets ...
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NewsElectric transport support approved
CZECH REPUBLIC: The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules a scheme to promote the use of electric transport as a greener alternative to diesel vehicles, and to support a shift of freight and passenger traffic from road to rail. Under the €180m scheme ...
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In depthCzech Republic: Piecemeal modernisation makes steady progress
A further tranche of CEF funding from the EU will enable Czechinfrastructure manager Správa Železnic to progress numerous projects in its multifaceted modernisation of the country’s principal rail corridors. Toma Bačić investigates.
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NewsEuropean Commission closes ČD pricing investigation
CZECH REPUBLIC: The European Commission has closed its investigation into alleged predatory conduct by national passenger operator ČD, after concluding that the evidence did not confirm its initial concerns. On November 10 2016, the European Commission opened an investigation to assess whether ČD had charged prices ...
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Metro Report InternationalBrno tram delivered
CZECH REPUBLIC: The Brno municipal transport operator has taken delivery of a Škoda 45T bidirectional fully low-floor bogie tram with all eight axles powered. The tram was delivered to Medlánky depot on October 12, and following testing and staff training it is expected to enter passenger ...
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In depthEastern Europe: War and supply chain turmoil put rail growth at risk
A deal which closed in January to create a joint venture with Slovenia’s state railway to run the SŽ-Tovorni Promet freight business is the latest in a series of expansionist moves by Czech private operator EP Logistics International. But future growth is under threat as the market outlook worsens, Executive Director Zbigniew Klepacki explains to Nick Kingsley.
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Metro Report InternationalPraha tram depot rebuilding gets underway
CZECH REPUBLIC: Main construction works have begun for a KC1·9bn project to rebuild the tram stabling and repair depot at Hloubětín in Praha. The work is being undertaken by a consortium of Bouygues Construction’s VCES, Chládek and Tintěra. Completion is planned for the second half of ...
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NewsCzech Republic electrification conversion advances
CZECH REPUBLIC: Infrastructure manager SŽ has converted the overhead electrification on the 43 km Nedakonice – Říkovice section of the Břeclav – Přerov main line from 3 kV DC to 25 kV 50 Hz. The work forms part of SŽ’s ambitious programme to establish a unified ...
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NewsČD Cargo orders locomotives
CZECH REPUBLIC: ČD Cargo has signed a contract for Siemens Mobility to supply 10 Vectron MS electric locomotives with the A54 country package, a maximum speed of 160 km/h and ETCS Baseline 3. The multi-system locomotives will be approved for operation in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, ...
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NewsCzechs urge high speed rail promoters to focus on released capacity benefits
EUROPE: High speed rail investment should place greater focus on the benefits of releasing capacity on existing lines, a group of Czech policymakers and industry leaders told a summit in Brussels on July 11.
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NewsŠkoda Group to rebrand to resolve confusion with car manufacturer
CZECH REPUBLIC: An agreement designed to end ‘frequent confusion’ around the use of the Škoda name and logo has been signed by PPF Group, which owns the Plzeň-based Škoda Group engineering business including Škoda Transportation, and Mladá Boleslav-based car manufacturer Škoda Auto which is part of ...
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NewsIncumbent train operators may have colluded against new entrant, European Commission says
EUROPE: The European Commission has sent Czech and Austrian national operators ČD and ÖBB a statement of objections setting out its preliminary view that they may have colluded to prevent new entrant RegioJet acquiring second-hand passenger rolling stock for use on competing services. The European Commission ...
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Metro Report InternationalPraha metro Line D loan agreed
CZECH REPUBLIC: The European Investment Bank is to provide a KC22·7bn 40-year loan to finance 50% of the cost of construction of the first phase of Praha’s fourth metro line. The first phase of Line D will run from an interchange with Line C at Pankrác ...
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NewsCZ Loko opens accommodation building to meet demographic challenges
CZECH REPUBLIC: CZ Loko has opened a building containing a training centre for 30 people and accommodation for 25 employees in a former bank in the historic centre of Česká Třebová. The company’s existing training facilities at the factory were at full capacity, and the additional ...
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NewsRegioJet buys DB double-deckers
CZECH REPUBLIC: RegioJet has bought 14 DWA-built Type 751.1-4 DBpz(a) double-deck coaches from Deutsche Bahn. These are to be refurbished for use on service R23 between Ústí nad Labem and Kolín which RegioJet operates under contract. RegioJet has operated the route since December 2021 using Škoda-built ...
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NewsPendolino ETCS contract awarded
CZECH REPUBLIC: National operator ČD has awarded a contract for its flagship fleet of seven Class 680 Pendolino trainsets to be equipped with ETCS, which will allow them to operate at up to 200 km/h on sections of the network. The contract worth KC413·9m was awarded ...