CZECH REPUBLIC: Škoda Transportation has delivered the first two of a batch of 10 Class 650 RegioPanter EMUs to national operator ČD. The two-car trainsets are due to replace rolling stock dating back to the early 1990s on regional routes across southern Bohemia.
According to Jiří Ješeta, ČD’s Deputy General Manager for Passenger Transport, the two 3 kV DC/25 kV 50 Hz dual-voltage regional EMUs were being dispatched to České Budějovice for staff training, with the aim of introducing them on the line from the regional capital to Strakonice in February, and on a number of other lines later this year. These include: České Budějovice – Strakonice, České Budějovice – Písek, České Budějovice – Veselí nad Lužnicí – Jindřichův Hradec, České Budějovice – Veselí nad Lužnicí – Tábor and České Budějovice – Horní Dvořiště.
Antonín Krák, Deputy Governor for Transport at the Jihočeský regional authority, said that the RegioPanter trainsets, which are step free and more accessible than the trains they replace, would enhance travel comfort and quality on electrified lines across southern Bohemia.
The air-conditioned EMUs feature onboard Wi-Fi; 230 V power sockets and USB ports for powering portable devices; accessible toilets with fold-down tables for nappy changing; and storage areas for luggage, prams and bicycles. They are also equipped with ETCS.
