The Czechia Ministry of Transport has contracted Arriva Group to operate new long-distance electric train services from December 2028.
The contract includes a planned investment of 300 million EUR in 22 electric trains capable of operating at speeds up to 200 km/h. These will serve routes west of Prague, connecting the capital with cities in the Pilsen and Karlovy Vary regions, including Cheb and Klatovy near the German border.
The new services will expand Arriva’s rail presence in the West Bohemia region. The modern fleet is expected to offer passengers improved comfort and journey times while supporting broader efforts to reduce road congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
Sian Leydon, Managing Director for Mainland Europe at Arriva Group said:This is a flagship win that reinforces our commitment to sustainable growth in Czechia and across Europe. It unlocks a major investment in modern, zero-emission trains and gives more people the choice to switch to reliable, high-quality passenger transport, taking cars off the congested highway between these major cities.
Arriva has been active in Czech rail since 2013 and currently operates more than 100 trains in the country, alongside a substantial bus network. This latest contract complements ongoing government investment in rail infrastructure, including the construction of a new line connecting Prague and Beroun, which includes a 25-kilometre tunnel.
Daniel Adamka, Managing Director of Arriva CZ, said:This is the largest investment Arriva has made in the Czech Republic. It will bring greater comfort to passengers travelling from Prague to Western Bohemia, and we believe it will attract new customers to rail. I’m proud of our team, who won this contract against strong competition from three other operators.
The tender was competitively awarded following a procurement process involving four bidders. Details of the train manufacturer and delivery schedule will be confirmed at a later stage.
