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6.9.2023

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rail transport

Czech Railways is preparing a major

renewal of trains in the Moravian-Silesian

Region, with new direct lines in the works

ČD will continue to provide contracted railway transport in the Moravian-Silesian Region

in the coming years, bringing a whole range of innovations to the region. New trains,

including battery trains, will roll on the tracks. New direct lines are also planned,

e.g. between Krnov and Český Těšín and the introduction of the Ostrava ring.

Ilustrační foto

České dráhy management and MoravianSilesian Region officials signed a new tenyear contract for regional railway transport in the region. "The contract for the

Ostrava operating unit, which includes

most of the lines in the region, will start

this December. It will bring a number of

innovations to passengers that will increase the comfort of travel and the competitiveness of rail compared to individual car

transport. For example, battery trains will

have their premiere on Czech railways

next year. In total, we aim to invest nearly

four billion crowns in new trains in the

Moravian-Silesian Region in the coming

years," says Michal Krapinec, Chairman of

the Board of Directors and CEO of ČD.

The ceremonial event included a tour

T+T T e c h n i k a a t r h 5/ 2 0 2 3

of the RegioPanter electric unit at Ostrava Střed station. This will be complemented by another four railway sets by

the end of the year. They will run on the

line between Bohumín and Hranice na

Moravě and also between Ostrava-Svinov and Ostrava-Kunčice. "These are

modern barrier-free electric trains with

a maximum speed of 160 km/h. They

offer spacious air-conditioned interiors,

comfortable seats, Wi-Fi connectivity,

and passengers can charge their mobile phones and other small electronics.

The units also have sufficient space for

wheelchair users, prams and bicycles,"

says Jiří Ješeta, member of the Board of

Directors and Deputy Director General

of ČD for Passenger Transport.

Train deliveries will continue next year

with the arrival of another four RegioPanter electric units. In this case, these sets

will be retrofitted with battery cells (similar

to BEMU vehicles) as requested by the regional administration. The Moravian-Silesian Region is intensively addressing the

use of alternative drives and sustainable

public transport and is currently in the

process of awarding a public contract for

another 15 trains (BEMU) in battery mode

with a range of at least 80 kilometres intended for the north of Moravia. Battery

electric units can be deployed on lines

that will combine electrified and nonelectrified lines. Passengers will no longer

have to change between electric and diesel trains and will gain a direct connection.