Siemens Mobility and Škoda Transportation, together with České dráhy presented the new ComfortJet train, a high-speed push-pull train that is the new flagship of České dráhy’s long-distance rolling stock.
This train is from Siemens Mobility’s Vectrain family, a concept developed out of its highly successful Vectron locomotive.
The consortium consisting of Siemens Mobility and Škoda Transportation won the bid to produce 180 train cars for České dráhy in 2021. Then in 2022 Siemens Mobility also won the contract to supply the Vectron locomotives for the trains.
Speaking at the event, Michal Krapinec, CEO of České dráhy, said that the purpose of these trains was to replace and compete with air travel, including international air travel.
Steffen Bobsien, Senior Vice President for Locomotives and Coaches at Siemens Mobility, echoed this sentiment.
“The Vectrain platform and the Vectron is our answer and contribution for green mobility in Europe.
“So, having in mind the substitution of short-distance flights in Europe, having a proper offer for operators to operate across borders in a long-distance and a very comfortable way is the product answer. And we've been authorised after TSI 2023 for several countries.
“The plan is to expand country by country in Europe so that we have the platform, our Vectron locomotive platform, that can enable our customers to operate from their countries in long distances.”
The ComfortJets will operate between Prague and Ostrava, Prague and Hamburg, Prague and Graz, and Prague and Budapest.
Martin Bednarz, Managing Director for Škoda Vagonka, expressed his pride that the train cars were being manufactured in Ostrava. He said that 250 Škoda employees were involved in these trains and that it was a very important project for the company.
In total, there will be 20 ComfortJet trains. They will have a maximum operating speed of 230km/h.
