"Each Pendolino train has travelled some 2 million kilometers since its operation began, and together they have transported 8 million passengers. They are one of the most popular train types, and also the fastest in the Czech Republic. Therefore, it is certainly appropriate to refurbish their interiors so that they can continue to provide the highest service quality, for which they are intended," says Frantisek Bures, CD's Board Member responsible for technology, service and property. High-speed trains are refurbished after approximately 10 to 15 years of operation in other countries as well, such as in Germany and France.

The floors of the compartments will be carpeted which will definitely contribute to a more pleasant environment and will provide acoustic comfort inside the coaches. Passengers travelling with small children will certainly welcome the introduction of a children's cinema, similar to those found on railjet high-speed trains. The most significant improvement, however, will be the installation of GSM repeaters, which will enable mobile telephone operators to provide better voice services inside a moving train. This will be the first time that such devices are installed on Czech trains, and this will be appreciated by passengers.

Among the other improvements to Pendolino trains will be an innovative audio-visual information system with LCD monitors installed in passenger compartments, and electrical sockets for charging passengers' small electronic devices, which will be supplemented with USB connectors. A change in lighting is planned as well, involving the replacement of LED bulbs with technology that offers better regulation of lighting intensity.

The bistro carriage will also undergo a major refurbishment, including more extensive upgrades in gastronomic technology. A new addition will be electric footwear cleaners. The Pendolino is the first train in the Czech Republic and one of only a few in Europe to offer this practical service. Such a device is currently being tested on one of the Pendolino trains.

The redesign of the interiors of all seven Pendolino multiple units should take place in 2017 and 2018. Today, SC Pendolino trains are the fastest connections in the Czech Republic. They travel the route between Prague and Ostrava in c. 3 hours with an average speed of c. 120 km/h. Twice daily, they also provide the fastest direct connection from northern and central Moravia to western Bohemia. It takes just 5 hours and 40 minutes to travel from Ostrava to Marianske Lazne, and just 4 hours and 44 minutes from Olomouc to Marianske Lazne. The SC Pendolino also provides the fastest train connection from Bohemia and Moravia to northern and eastern Slovakia. The SC Pendolino Kosican runs once daily and travels from Prague to Poprad-Tatry in 6 hours and 16 minutes. The journey from Prague to Kosice takes just 7 hours and 22 minutes.

CD to procure new rolling stock

CD has announced a negotiated procedure with publication to select a supplier for up to 20 modern disabled-accessible electric multiple units for domestic fast-train connections. CD will conclude a framework contract with the winner that will enable it to order up to 20 electric multiple units.

"As part of our preparations for the opening of the long-distance rail passenger transport market in the Czech Republic and for a tender for long-distance lines, we have decided to select a supplier for disabled-accessible electric multiple units at the present time. Deliveries of the individual trains, which will include a detailed specification for particular units, e.g. with respect to the number of carriages and the capacity of each multiple unit, will be based on the requirements of the authority ordering the transport service for the line in question. We will thus have trains produced in only the number and configurations that we will need to provide the relevant transport service ordered by our customer," explains CD CEO and Chairman of the Board Pavel Krtek. This approach will enable CD to react flexibly to tenders and to the drawing of the European funds from which the purchase of the electric multiple units will be financed.

Among other plans to renovate the CD passenger fleet is the purchasing of up to 50 comfortable fast-train passenger coaches for international trains travelling at a speed of at least 200 km/h. The carrier wishes to conclude a framework agreement with the supplier and to order individual carriages according to actual need and concluded contracts for provision of transport service.

"Due to the growing number of trains with a maximum speed of 160 km/h or on foreign lines even higher, we will need to supplement our rolling stock in the coming years with additional passenger coaches meeting the highest demands for operating at speeds of at least 200 km/h," explains CD CEO and Chairman of the Board Pavel Krtek.

CD plans to deploy these coaches on international EuroCity and InterCity trains, and they are expected to find the greatest application on the Prague -Brno - Bratislava - Budapest line. The coaches will be ordered with various configurations, e.g. 1^st or 2^nd class, for transporting persons using wheelchairs and with spaces for stowing bicycles. The coaches must conform to the highest current standards and the configurations of the interiors must comport with CD's current design manual.