In addition, the municipality prefers direct award at the expense of tendering, which is usually more time-consuming.

“In the Czech Republic, there are at least three to five carriers who would certainly be interested in participating in transparent tenders,” says the spokesman Jet Region Aleš Ondrůj with the fact that the company prefers the form of tenders, which I agree with other carriers.

“If there are more applicants, this form should be chosen,” agrees Kateřina Veitová, a spokeswoman for the Leo Express. It still operates in nine regions, but on unsubsidized lines.

However, most regions will announce less demanding direct assignments within the next year. It can be assumed that it will be easier for České dráhy to meet the conditions of the customer – the regions – than for the carriers, given that the vast majority of connections have so far been run by the train of the national carrier. Both Regio Jet and Leo Express need at least two years to prepare for the operation of the connections.

“If this happens, the regions will preserve today’s situation, all the money from the state will be passed to one player in advance and they will not decide whether he could have a better service on the given track,” fears Daniel Adamka, CEO carrier Arriva. It is said that this is enough to prepare a shorter time than the two largest companies, Adamka talks about twelve to fifteen months.

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According to Adamka, if the regions extended the contract with České dráhy without announcing tenders beforehand, everyone would suffer. “We will send more from the taxes to the state-owned carrier and no one will have the leverage for the quality of services to improve at regional losses, “I think.

Czech Railways is now communicating with regional governments about the possible continuation of cooperation, they want to defend the maximum number of connections. Unlike private individuals, they prefer the form of direct assignment.

“It simply came to our notice then. At the same time, customers gain time to prepare the parameters of competitions that are not prepared today so as to ensure that customers do not lose network services, “says Radek Joklík on behalf of Czech Railways.

But not all regions are behind. Liberecký has already announced tenders, and by the end of this year, Jihomoravský will choose the same formula. However, no region is limited in when to announce tenders or direct assignments.

“Regions must conclude new contracts by December 2019 at the latest in order to ensure the operation of transport from the following year,” explained Michaela Vrbová from the Association of Regions, which will not propose a unified position to local governments.