ČD will deploy new and modernised vehicles in 2013 worth CZK 6 billion

The extensive modernisation of ČD’s rolling stock will continue in 2013 as well. ČD expects to deploy more than 150 new and modernised locomotives and carriages, including carriages of electric and diesel multiple units worth a total of c. CZK 6 billion (c. € 234 million). Regional transport will be dominated by completely new RegioPanter and RegioShark multiple units. Long-distance transport will receive additional modernised carriages.

Approximately 90% of all carriages delivered and put into operation in 2013 will be completely new electric and diesel multiple units. The share of modernised vehicles will fall to approximately one-tenth.

Most of the new vehicles will be from the family of RegioPanter low-platform electric multiple units and RegioShark low-platform diesel multiple units. The trains will operate in various regions of the Czech Republic.

The new vehicles offer passengers modern, bright and well-arranged interiors, low-floor configurations, accessibility (including WCs), and modern audio-visual information systems. The cabins are air-conditioned, and in selected seats on regional trains there are 230V electrical outlets for charging small electronic devices, e.g. mobile telephones or laptops. RegioPanter and RegioShark multiple units are equipped with a WiFi internet connection.

Modernisation of long-distance trains to accelerate

In long-distance transport, the modernisation of suitable carriage models for speeds up to 160 km/h will continue, and will accelerate compared to 2012. Approximately twice as many of them are to be put into operation in 2013 than in 2012. The modernisation of WRmee816 restaurant carriages at Slovak enterprise ZOS Vrútky will be completed, the modernisation of Bbdgmee class accessible fast carriages will continue, and two new models of modernised carriages will be put into operation – the Bdmpee (supplied by Pars nova from the Škoda Transportation group) and the ABpee (supplied by PESA).

The modernised carriages will offer passengers new seats, air conditioned interiors and 230 V electrical outlets for charging small electronic devices. New closed-system WCs have been installed, and these modernised carriages have also been newly equipped for so-called simplified transport of bicycles.

The modernisation of trains for long-distance transport will continue in 2014 as well, when the completely new Viaggio Comfort multiple units manufactured by Siemens and known as Railjet will be put into operation. These are modern high-speed trains, and offer the highest-quality travel on the Czech network. In December 2014, they will be deployed on the Prague – Brno – Vienna – Graz line in cooperation with Austrian rail carrier ÖBB.