Prague and the Central Bohemian Region plan to modernize train sets. It will cost up to 40 billion crowns
The Central Bohemian Region has been working with the capital on a joint plan for the modernization of train sets, with a perspective of about 30 years. Together they would like to buy EMU400 trains, which are electrified sets for up to 400 people. For comparison – today’s CityElefant has a capacity of up to 310 passengers, so the increase will be about a quarter.
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There should be about 120 newly purchased sets, which is twice as many as the CityElefant set today. The total costs will cost 30 to 40 billion crowns. The region wants to use another roughly 60 new trains on smaller, local lines.
Prague and the region chose as a solution the modernization of train sets, partly because the existing sets will expire in a few years, but it is also important that other trains do not fit on the line. “The solution of the Prague node Kladno – Prague is missing here. Connection of Mladá Boleslav via Všejany. There is no high-speed line, we lack the Prague – Beroun tunnel. As a result, we are driving people into cars, we are not able to get any freight to the corridors, which means a further deterioration of the situation on the roads. ” describes Councilor for Public Transport Petr Borecký (Mayors and Independents)
The railway workers would like to start the modernization of the line between Prague and Kladno next year. In about five years, for example, the construction of the Bezděčín connection near Mladá Boleslav could begin.
The gradual electrification of tracks is also a complication
Railroad workers are electrifying the tracks gradually. The Railway Administration expects to complete the switchover from direct current to alternating current by about 2040, but according to Councilor Borecký, it takes even longer, which are other complications. The region and the metropolis must therefore buy two-system machines that can handle both regimes, which means spending extra money.
For regional lines, either diesel-powered trains or battery-powered and hydrogen trains are possible – however, according to the councilors, they are still in the experimental phase and, in addition, are up to three times more expensive.
When will the first new trains get on the line?
As for smaller, local lines, low-capacity diesel Stadlers will run between Kralupy nad Vltavou and Velvary in mid-November at the latest. Replaces the expiring RS1. They will be low-rise and equipped with air conditioning and Wi-Fi.
For a larger line in the area of Kladno or Rakovník, the so-called RegioSharks are planned for 2023. And when it comes to high-capacity kits, the future is more distant. The region should compete in the second half of 2023 at the latest, while the update period is said to be about six years. They could get on the track in 2029.