Czech Republic: The national operator ČD has announced a tender for the purchase of 133 trains and their 30-year maintenance for a total of CZK 84.5 bln (€3.3 bln) excluding VAT.
The firm part includes 66 trains and 15 years of maintenance. Financing will be provided by the European Union’s funds.
Technical parameters require trains to be dual-system EMUs with a length of up to 106 m, a maximum speed of 160 km/h and at least 380 seats in first and second class. The trains are scheduled to enter service in the end of 2029. They will complement and partially replace the double-decker CityElefant (series 471) built by Škoda Group between 1997 and 2013.
At the end of 2024, the Czech manufacturer completed a long-term contract with the delivery of the last of 110 two- and three-car RegioPanter trains, four of which are battery-powered units. These trains meet the new requirements in terms of speed and double-system design.
