Air conditioning, on-board Wi-Fi network, 230 V and USB sockets for charging travel electronics of the passengers, enough space for prams and bicycles, an audiovisual information system. All of this is the new standard for regional trains in the South Bohemian Region. České dráhy is completing an extensive modernisation of its rolling stock, which consists in the deployment of seven new RegioFox diesel multiple units and the takeover of another five second-generation RegioPanters, bringing the number of these modern electric multiple units in the Region to 15.
“At the end of 2023, we signed a contract with ČD for public passenger transport services on the railway, thanks to which we are to have all railway lines which are electrified by the 25 kV system under modern trains. This is what we promised the South Bohemian Region's inhabitants and now it is the moment when we can mark another promise as fulfilled. I am glad that our passengers have at their disposal the best of what is currently possible on our railway lines. The Regional Authority takes care of the transport services, we take South Bohemians to work and to schools and this is another piece of the puzzle which we felt we needed to add. This means providing passengers with the maximum possible comfort, which they certainly deserve,” said Martin Kuba, Chairman of the Council of the Regional Authority of the South Bohemian Region.
“České dráhy continues in the rapid modernisation of the rolling stock on busy regional railway lines, and this will also be the case in South Bohemia. The RegioPanter electric multiple units and the RegioFox diesel multiple units are very popular among our passengers and I am convinced that they will find many fans among South Bohemia inhabitants as well. In fact, they offer everything what belongs to modern and comfortable travelling – air conditioning, Wi-Fi, plenty of space, quiet operation and the most modern security systems,” says Michal Krapinec, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of České dráhy, adding: “Twenty-two modern trains mean more than 2,900 comfortable seats for passengers. This almost corresponds to the population of the municipality of Volyně in the Strakonice district.”
“The South Bohemian Region attracts visitors with its rich history and stunning nature, and we are delighted to be able to contribute to its growing attractiveness with the delivery of five new RegioPanter two-carriage units. This is a successful trainset which runs not only on the railway lines of the South Bohemian Region, but we are also successfully producing these trainsets in different variants for Slovakia, Latvia, Estonia and soon also for Bulgaria. In total, almost 400 of these trainsets will be running soon. Passengers can therefore look forward to modern trains meeting the highest European standards in terms of both quality and safety,” said Tomáš Ignačák, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Škoda Group.
“We highly appreciate the cooperation with České dráhy and we are glad to know that our diesel multiple units, named as RegioFox by the carrier, can carry passengers almost all over the country and also in the beautiful South Bohemian Region. I would like to emphasise that in addition to the travel comfort and high technical level of the PESA units, these trainsets are equipped with the most modern Rolls-Royce power units which meet the strict STAGE 5 emission standards and are furthermore adapted to the use of modern synthetic HVO fuels. The use of HVO blended with diesel oil can reduce released emissions by up to tens of percentage points,” said Miroslav Kupec, Executive Officer of PESA Rail CR, which represents the Poland-based manufacturer of rolling stock in the Czech Republic.
With the Fox trainsets over the new bridge at Červená nad Vltavou, RegioPanters all over the Region
The renewal of the rolling stock in the South Bohemian Region was started by České dráhy in the middle of 2012, when it gradually began to take over from the manufacturer and subsequently put into operation four two-car electric multiple units of the class 650 known as RegioPanter of the 1st generation. In the period up to the beginning of 2014, these trainsets gradually started to provide most of the services on the České Budějovice – Strakonice regional line and almost all services on the České Budějovice – České Velenice line.
A much more extensive transformation of the electric traction rolling stock took place during the first half of 2022, when the manufacturer "Škoda Group" delivered another ten new RegioPanters of the 2nd generation (650.2 class) to České dráhy. The electric multiple units took over the remaining outputs between Strakonice, České Budějovice and České Velenice and were subsequently gradually deployed on the railway lines from České Budějovice to Písek and Jindřichův Hradec, then on the majority of services from České Budějovice to Horní Dvořiště (with the exception of the trains continuing from Rybník to Lipno nad Vltavou and the international trains České Budějovice – Linz Hbf) and those from the regional capital to Tábor. The deployment of these modern trains on the remaining services from České Budějovice to Horní Dvořiště and to Lipno nad Vltavou will be made possible by the takeover of another five RegioPanter trainsets. This delivery is currently underway, České dráhy has already taken over four units, and it should be completed at the beginning of October. As far as the South Bohemian rolling stock is concerned, České dráhy will have altogether fifteen RegioPanter trainsets of the 2nd generation there and four similar units from the first series.
After the completion of the delivery of the RegioPanter trainsets, these modern electric trains will ensure complete regional transport on the electrified railway lines where the South Bohemian Region orders trains. Passengers will travel on the board of these trainsets on such railway lines as České Budějovice – Strakonice, České Budějovice – Písek, České Budějovice – Veselí nad Lužnicí – Jindřichův Hradec, České Budějovice – Veselí nad Lužnicí – Tábor, České Budějovice – Horní Dvořiště and Rybník – Lipno nad Vltavou.
The renewal is also carried out for trains providing services on non-electrified lines. Altogether seven new diesel multiple units of the 847 class known as RegioFox are intended for the South Bohemian region, popularly called "Foxes". The manufacturer "PESA" has already delivered six of these units to České dráhy, the last unit will be handed over to the carrier at the end of September according to the contract. Currently, the first South Bohemian RegioFox trainsets are deployed temporarily on the railway line between Veselí nad Lužnicí and České Velenice, from October they will be deployed on the Tábor – Milevsko section. From the new timetable in December this year, seven "Foxes" will carry passengers on the entire planned line between Tábor, Písek and Strakonice.
Advantages of the RegioPanter and RegioFox modern trainsets
- Modern bright and well-arranged interior with ergonomically designed upholstered seats according to requirements of the Regional Authorities in the 2nd carriage class and possibly also in the 1st carriage class;
- Air-conditioning system;
- An additional pull-out step facilitates boarding at stops with lower platforms;
- The trainsets are equipped with a platform for wheelchair passengers to overbridge the space between the boarding platform and the vehicle floor or to overcome the different heights of the platform and vehicle floor;
- Modern safe sliding doors operated by push buttons, centrally closed and locked before the train departs, boarding and alighting being allowed in a safe way only on the side of the platform;
- For the blind and partially sighted passengers, the doors of the train unit are equipped with a remote door control system operated by a blind radio and supplemented with an acoustic beacon; the doors are equipped with an audiovisual warning signals before closing and have safety features against pinching people;
- For the blind and partially sighted passengers, the trainset interior will be equipped with information labels in Braille and button in a haptic design as well;
- A spacious wheelchair-accessible toilet with a closed system and equipped with a folding table for changing baby nappies;
- Electrical 230 V sockets and USB ports for powering portable electronics, for example mobile phones, tablets, etc.;
- In the electric multiple units, high-performance power sources for charging electric wheelchairs or electric bicycles;
- Tilting or folding tables according to the seat layout arrangement;
- In the case of the electric multiple units, individual reading lights for individual seats;
- Sufficiently large space to accommodate wheelchair passengers, pram placement, bicycles and other large luggage;
- A modern audiovisual information system providing information about the train journey and stops to all passengers, including blind, partially sighted or deaf people.
Modern trains of the South Bohemian Region in numbers
Two-carriage RegioPanter of the 650.2 Class
- Seating capacity: 140 seats
- Length: 52.9 metres
- Weight: 105 tonnes
- Max. speed: 160 km/h
- Power output: 1 360 kW
- Power supply systems: 3 kV DC and 25 kV 50 Hz AC
- Number of motors: 4
- Number of bogies: 4
- Number of doors: 8
- Final number of units in the Region: 15
RegioFox of the 847 Class
- Seating capacity: 115 seats (including folding seats)
- Length: 44.4 metres
- Weight: 83 tonnes
- Max. speed: 120 km/h
- Power output: 750 kW
- Number of engines: 2
- Power output transmission: hydrodynamic
- Number of bogies: 3
- Number of doors: 4
- Final number of units in the Region: 7
Author: Tiskové oddělení Českých drah
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