České dráhy has put the first modern RegioFox regional trains into regular operation with passengers in the Pilsen Region. The Fox Trains, as the two-cell diesel multiple units are called, have started to run on passenger trains on the Plzeň – Žihle railway line. A total of 10 modern RegioFox trainsets should be delivered to the Pilsen Region by the beginning of the new timetable in December this year.
“The Pilsen region is another region where we deploy, on busy non-electrified lines, modern diesel multiple units, which are called among railway staff members nothing else than just “Fox Trains”. These modern units will offer higher comfort, reliability and more environment-friendly operation, which will significantly improve the quality of regional transport in Western Bohemia,” says Michal Krapinec, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of České dráhy, adding: “The Fox diesel multiple units will complement the modern regional rolling stock of České dráhy in the form of 15 RegioPanter electric multiple units, which run as fast trains between Pilsen and Karlovy Vary and also on the Klatovy – Přeštice – Pilsen – Beroun route, and the RegioShark railcars, also from the Poland-based manufacturer ‘PESA’.”
“In the Pilsen Region, we have long been dedicated to building a high-quality public transport system, which must be provided with vehicles meeting the needs of the 21st century. I am very pleased that, on the basis of the contract between the carrier and the Regional Authority of the Pilsen Region, we can today welcome another addition to the blue fleet of new buses and blue high-quality trains, which are the new modern RegioFox units in the uniform graphic coating as designed by the Regional Authority of the Pilsen Region,” states Rudolf Špoták, Chairman of the Council of the Regional Authority of the Pilsen Region.
“The public transport operation in the Pilsen Region is nowadays provided by 317 blue buses, 24 electric RegioPanter trainsets of the ČD and ARRIVA vlaky carriers, 9 RegioShark diesel multiple units of the ČD carrier and 8 blue low-floor RS1 Regio-Shuttle diesel multiple units of the GW Train Regio carrier. The arrival of 10 new RegioFox trainsets is therefore another step towards improving the quality of train travelling in the Pilsen Region,” adds Pavel Čížek, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Regional Authority of the Pilsen Region in Charge of Transport.
“Currently, the first RegioFox diesel multiple units are deployed on passenger trains on the regional P4 Pilsen – Žihle line, then after delivery of other units, their operation will be extended to the P21 line in the Rokycany – Příkosice section. Starting with the new timetable in mid-December, passengers will also be able to enjoy the 'Fox' trains on the board of trains between Pilsen and Bezdružice, Pilsen and Radnice, and also on the services between Klatovy and Železná Ruda. Each RegioFox trainset offers 115 seats, space for up to 8 bicycles and a maximum speed of up to 120 km/h. In addition to the actual comfort, like all other modern trains of the national carrier, it also offers maximum safety, because all RegioFox train sets are, for example, equipped with the on-board units of the European Train Control System (ETCS). This means that we invest not only in the comfort of our passengers, but also in their safety,” said Jiří Ješeta, Member of the Board of Directors and Deputy Director General for Passenger Transport of České dráhy. The following months will also be marked by the training of operating and servicing staff on the new regional units.
The RegioFox diesel multiple units are wheelchair accessible, air-conditioned trains equipped with a wide range of services for comfortable travelling to work, school or leisure activities. On-board Wi-Fi network, power sockets and USB connectors for charging travel electronics, compartments for large luggage including prams and bicycles or an audiovisual information system are all standard features there. The trains are equipped with Rolls-Royce engines capable of using the latest generation of environment-friendly HVO fuels, making them ones of the most environment-friendly diesel trains in Europe.
České dráhy has ordered a total of 106 RegioFox units from the Poland-based company “PESA”. After their delivery from the manufacturer, they are to be gradually being put into operation on railway lines not only in the Pilsen Region, but also in the South Bohemian, Central Bohemian, Hradec Králové and Pardubice Regions, in Vysočina (the Highlands Region) and also in Prague. Currently, 9 RegioFoxes are running in Vysočina (the Highlands Region) and another 7 units are deployed on trains ordered by the Pardubice Region. Passengers can use the “Fox” trainsets even in the Central Bohemian Region, Prague and also in the South Bohemian Region temporarily on the railway line between Veselí nad Lužnicí and České Velenice.
In addition to the RegioFox diesel multiple units, České dráhy operates 15 other modern RegioPanter electric multiple units in the Pilsen region for the purpose of assurance of regional transport. Passengers are already familiar with the RegioShark diesel multiple units, which are also manufactured by the Poland-based company “PESA” and have been transporting passengers in the Pilsen Region already since 2012.
Information about the “RegioFox” unit of the 847 Class
- Seating capacity: 115 seats (including folding seats),
- 8 places for bicycles,
- 3 places for prams,
- 2 places for wheelchairs,
- 1 wheelchair-accessible toilet,
- Air conditioning system
- Wi-Fi network
- 230V+USB sockets
- Audio-visual system, passenger counting system, security cameras
- Length: 44.4 metres
- Weight: 83 tonnes
- Max. speed: 120 km/h
- Power output: 750 kW
- Number of engines: 2
- Number of driven axles: 4
- Power output transmission: hydrodynamic
- Number of bogies: 3,
- Number of doors: 4.
Author: Tiskové oddělení Českých drah
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