Vlak bez strojvedoucího na české trati … Budoucnost české železnice
14 POSITIV 1/2026
BUSINESS
You took part in the largest tender for trackside
signalling systems, “ETCS state border Germany
– Dolní Žleb – Kralupy nad Vltavou”. The tender
procedure was recently cancelled. What do you
make of that?
Yes, Správa železnic decided to cancel the entire tender
procedure and relaunch it, this time separately according
to the types of work involved – with the technological
part and the construction works tendered independently.
This should contribute to greater clarity and a more open
competition. We view this decision positively and will be
pleased to take part in the new tender procedure. Dividing
the contract according to specialist areas better reflects
the reality of the market and the specialisation of individual
suppliers, and creates room for fair competition based on
technical expertise and experience.
In a few years’ time, we will be travelling
from Prague to the surrounding areas on new trains.
Who will supply them, and what will they look like?
Yes, the Central Bohemian Region and Prague are jointly
seeking an operator for Prague’s suburban rail services
– a fleet of at least sixty, and possibly up to 133, high-
capacity electric multiple units, along with thirty years
of servicing. A contract on this scale has never been seen
here before.
Three operators are bidding for the contract:
Czech Railways, RegioJet and Arriva. We are offering
the Coradia Max unit. It is a four-car trainset with double-
deck end cars and single-deck intermediate cars,
offering high capacity and proven reliability. Alstom
recently signed a contract for 42 units for Poland,
and hundreds are already in operation across Europe.
So we have no shortage of references.
And what about regions outside of Prague?
In some regions, you need a special dual-system (dual-
voltage) unit. It is dual-voltage because two different
systems exist in different regions: 3 kV DC and 25 kV
AC. For example, the Central Bohemian Region has
both systems within its territory. A gradual conversion
to the more economical alternating-current system is
under way, but this conversion will take many years.
A dual-system unit is, of course, somewhat more
expensive. In addition, each region places its orders
separately, which also pushes the price up. At the same
time, the trains are essentially the same and differ
only in colour. If the regions were to place a joint
order, the price would naturally be lower and more
advantageous for the operator.
Monika ŠevčíkováRob Trnka