EUROPE: Leo Express has reached a 15-year agreement to lease coaches from the RENFE Alquiler de Material Ferroviario rolling stock leasing subsidiary of Spanish national train operator RENFE.
The Spanish incumbent owns a 50% stake in Czech Republic-based open access and contract operator Leo Express. The supply of coaches which meet RIC standards for use throughout Europe is intended to enable Leo Express to solidify its position as a key player in the open access and PSO tendered passenger market in central Europe.
The coaches were acquired from Deutsche Bahn in January, and include first and second class vehicles with up to 80 seats. They are suitable for speeds up to 200 km/h and have air conditioning. An adapted carriage makes it easier for wheelchair users and passengers with reduced mobility.
Some of the coaches will be allocated to Ex36 route between Praha and München which Leo Express is to operate from December 2026 under a contract awarded by the Czech Ministry of Transport.
RENFE Alquiler also recently finalised a deal to lease three 13-car Talgo VI tilting push-pull trainsets Leo Express, with operations scheduled to begin on April 30 on the Praha – Ostrava – Žilina – Prešov route and on the Praha – Pardubice – Olomouc – Otrokovice – Staré Město u Uherského Hradiště – Bratislava service which Leo Express plans to launch on the same date.
RENFE Engineering & Maintenance, through Tarvia, will participate in the maintenance of the Talgo cars.
