The Czech Railways JSC (Ceske drahy) and the consortium consisting of Skoda Transportation and Skoda Vagonka made a framework contract for delivering 50 electric regional trains of the EMU 160 type. The production of 31 new units was immediately ordered on the basis of this contract. At the same time, Ceske drahy ordered production of five double-deck push-pull nontraction train sets from the same consortium.

“In connection with new contracts for assurance of regional transport services in individual regions of the Czech Republic from December 2019 we will continue to modernize our regional train rolling stock. At the consortium consisting of Skoda Transportation and Skoda Vagonka we placed a binding purchase order for 31 EMUs of the 160 series from the RegioPanter family and we can order still more 19 units within the framework of an option in next months. At the same time, we made a binding order for 5 new three-carriage double-deck push-pull non-traction trains intended for operation in the north of Moravia,” said Miroslav Kupec, Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Ceske drahy JSC.

In both cases the trains are air-conditioned and barrier-free sets with first-class and second-class compartments offering a modern interior to their passengers. Passengers will be able to use a Wi-Fi connection to the Internet or 230-V 50-Hz electric sockets and USB ports for power supply of small electronic gadgets of passengers, e.g. mobile phones, tablets or notebooks. Special electric connection lines will make it possible to recharge electric wheelchairs or electric bikes as well. The trains will be equipped with sufficient space for placement of large luggage, including prams and bicycles.

Other special equipment will include, for example, tilting chang­ing tables for passengers with babies, texts in braille or special voice bea­cons and remote control of the door through transmitters used by blind people.

The EMU 160 series will represent double-system (3 kV DC, 25 kV 50 Hz AC) units, which enables them to be used virtually on any electrified railway line in the Czech Republic. Their capacity will be approximately 140 seats. In operation it is possible to couple up to 3 units. Maximum speed of the trains will be 160 km/h, power output 1,360 kW and they will be fitted with the European Train Control System (ETCS). At present, production of 31 units is confirmed, namely for the express train routes Plzen - Cheb - Karlovy Vary (4 units), for the P2 line Klatovy - Plzen - Ber- oun (11 units), for the Vysocina (Highlands) Region (6 units) and for the South Bohemian Region (10 units).

The push-pull units are intended for the Ostrava - Frydlant nad Ostraviti - Frenstat pod Radhostem railway line in Southern Moravia. These are three-carriage trains based on the design of the Nuremberg-Munich Express trains for DB AG. A change in the traction system on the railway line is expected during operation of these units, as the railway line is not electrified yet, although its electrification is in preparation. The train set capacity will be 356 seats. The train sets will be equipped with the ETCS control system and are intended for operation at a speed of up to 160 km/h.