EUROPE: Brno city council has selected local minibus and tour train operator Gepard Express to operate a subsidised daily train service to Wien airport from June 11 until the December 2025 timetable change.
Gepard Express will take over from RegioJet, which is currently operating a six-month pilot service that ends in June.
The Gepard Express trains are expected to leave Brno at 02.15 and arrive at Wien airport at 03.50. The return leg would leave the airport at 23.10 and arrive in Brno at 00.45.
The city will provide support of KC13·9m this year, KC28·5m in 2024 and a still to be determined amount in 2025.
Announcing the selection of Gepard Express on March 29, city councillor responsible for transport Petr Kratochvíl said RegioJet had also been interested in the contract, but Gepard Express offered a lower price, along with a journey time around 35 min faster than the current service and 15 min faster than RegioJet’s proposal.
Gepard Express is required to use air-conditioned coaches and provide information in Czech, English and German. A replacement bus must be provided within 30 min of the scheduled departure of a disrupted train service. Local tickets will be valid between Brno and Břeclav.
