Prague signs CZK 165 billion rail deal for new commuter trains

Prague and the Central Bohemian Region signed a CZK 165 billion contract with Czech Railways (České dráhy) on Friday, Oct. 16, securing suburban rail services for the next 30 years under the largest railway operator contract in Czech history.

The agreement, signed at the VUZ Velim railway testing center near Kolín, will see Czech Railways continue operating some of the busiest commuter routes connecting Prague with surrounding towns from 2030.

For thousands of daily commuters, the deal promises new, higher-capacity electric trains and improvements to onboard comfort, gradually replacing some of the aging CityElefant units currently in service.

Under the agreement, Czech Railways will introduce dozens of new electric trainsets, with the fleet potentially expanding to 133 units.

Each train will provide at least 380 seats, alongside passenger-focused improvements including wireless phone charging, better mobile reception, and information showing how crowded individual carriages are.

The trains are also expected to offer flexible bicycle capacity, with the number of spaces adjusted according to seasonal demand.

According to rail industry publication Zdopravy.cz, Škoda Group was selected to supply the new EMU 400 electric trains, which will operate on key suburban routes.

These include connections between Prague and Kolín, Beroun, and Kladno, where rail modernization is already underway.

The first new trains are expected to enter service during 2030, with additional units introduced gradually afterward.

The agreement represents a major long-term commitment to Prague's suburban transport network.

As České noviny reported in September, Czech Railways won the contract after submitting a CZK 165.17 billion offer, beating rival RegioJet's bid of CZK 183.65 billion.

The contract was approved by Prague and Central Bohemian representatives on Sept. 7, with Friday's signing formally concluding the process.

Central Bohemian Governor Petra Pecková said the competitive tender was intended to secure more modern and comfortable transport for passengers. Previous contracts for these services had been awarded through direct agreements rather than open competition.

The scale of the investment reflects the importance of suburban rail services to the capital and surrounding region.

According to figures cited by Pecková, Prague Integrated Transport (PID) trains carried approximately 202,000 passengers daily in Central Bohemia last year, with around 25,000 passengers traveling during peak hours.

While commuters will have to wait until 2030 to see the first new trains, the agreement establishes a long-term modernization plan for one of Czechia's busiest rail networks.