České dráhy and Siemens Mobility to Extend Long-term Cooperation

Authorised representatives of České dráhy, Siemens Mobility and the DPOV subsidiary have signed a Cooperation Agreement in the field of servicing. This Agreement introduces a new approach to the maintenance of the Vectron locomotives, combining the servicing, specialised and technological capabilities of both the companies. The main objective is to ensure efficient and high-quality maintenance, from preventive measures to higher levels of revision maintenance.

“The cooperation with Siemens Mobility is a key step to improve our market position and to increase the quality of our services. The new Vectron locomotives represent a significant step towards further modernisation of our rolling stock.  We will offer our passengers higher reliability of our trains and greater journey dynamics, and therefore a better travel experience as well,” commented Michal Krapinec, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of České dráhy. “This contract fulfils the ČD's technical assistance strategy aimed at increasing efficiency and quality of services. České dráhy's repair project strategy represents a fundamental step towards modernisation and strengthening of the company’s internal capacities. Thanks to these measures, we will be able to carry out repairs more efficiently and in a faster way and to ensure high quality of vehicle servicing,” adds Michal Krapinec.

With today’s signing, České dráhy and Siemens Mobility follow up to their long-term good cooperation. České dráhy was the first carrier to order fifty interoperable Siemens Vectron MS multi-system electric locomotives for the speed of 230 km/h in March 2022. The new-generation Vectrons will be delivered by Siemens on a gradual basis from December 2025. With a maximum operating speed of 230 km/h, these locomotives are ready for deployment on both conventional and high-speed railway lines. České dráhy plans to operate these machines on international train connections to Germany, Austria, Denmark, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland.

Michal Kraus, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Deputy Director General of ČD for Servicing, adds: “By cooperating with Siemens Mobility, we will have the access to the latest technologies in the field of Vectron locomotive maintenance, which will bring benefits not only to our company but also to our customers. We are building upon our existing cooperation with Siemens Mobility and the leasing companies 'ELL' and 'RSL', which lease us previous versions of the Siemens Vectron locomotives and whose machines are already now being maintained by technicians at the Maintenance Centre in Prague-Vršovice. Our people are thus already very well familiar with the maintenance of high-end railway technology and can further extend their professional level. At the same time, the requirements for maintenance of the most modern locomotives motivate us to further modernise our service facilities.”

Roman Kokšal, Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Mobility in the Czech Republic, said: “The extension of our cooperation with the České dráhy Group in the area of vehicle maintenance will enable Siemens Mobility to add additional locations in the Czech Republic to the European rolling stock service network, where it will be possible to provide our customers with complete technical assistance services, including the highest levels of maintenance with the highest added value. I believe that this agreement will open up further opportunities for the Czech servicing team to cooperate together also in the case of other vehicles manufactured by our company.”

Within the framework of the signed agreement, Siemens Mobility will provide the national carrier with systemic and methodical supervision of service activities, while České dráhy and DPOV repair facilities will contribute with their technological capacities, repair facilities and professional staff. The cooperation represents a significant step towards achieving a higher standard of railway operation in the Czech Republic. The modern and reliable Vectron locomotives, together with an innovative approach to maintenance, not only bring improvements for passengers, but also increase the overall efficiency and sustainability of railway transport.