CZECH REPUBLIC: The Ministry of Transport has selected RegioJet for a contract for to operate R23 fast passenger services on the 135 km electrified line between Kolín and Ústí nad Labem-západ.
The contract announced on March 30 runs for eight years from the December 2021 timetable change and covers the operation of 790 000 train-km/year.
The ministry said the private operator had offered the lowest bid at KC556m or KC88 per train-km, compared to incumbent national operator ČD’s bid of KC653m or KC103 per train-km.
Leo Express and KPT Rail had also expressed interest, but did not submit final bids.
RegioJet said it would significantly enhance comfort on the important rail corridor, offering 200 km/h air-conditioned and PRM-compliant coaches with free wi-fi, 230 V sockets and other onboard passenger amenities found on its services across central Europe.
This will be ReigoJet’s second PSO contract to run express services in the Czech Republic, following its agreement to operate R8 Brno – Ostrava – Bohumín services for eight years from December 2019.
