Passengers from the Central Bohemian Region in particular can look forward to more RegioFox diesel units. Most of the 30 units ordered now will be operated by the Rakovník depot and will serve non-electrified railway lines in the western part of the region. These RegioFoxes are modern, barrier-free, two-part diesel units with air conditioning, Wi-Fi and other advantages of modern trains, which can be easily used as a “train office”.
“At the request of the authorities ordering services in the field of public transport, we continue to renew passenger trains and fast trains on non-electrified lines. That is why we are making use, already for the fourth time, the framework agreement entered into with the Poland-based company PESA Bydgoszcz for a maximum of 160 RegioFox diesel units and we have ordered another 30 trains. Their number on our railway lines will thus reach a total of 106 units. We will replace other outdated rail cars which no longer provide sufficient comfort and we will offer passengers more comfortable travelling a and more services which they require,” says Michal Krapinec, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of České dráhy.
“We are serious about the slogan stating that we want modern public transport for the inhabitants of the Central Bohemian Region. It is also one of the reasons for which we are still investing in the renewal of the rolling stock on the Central Bohemian railway and we have decided to give priority to modern, barrier-free and air-conditioned trains within the framework of its order with the carrier České dráhy, even though they cost more than old, second-hand train sets. Within about three years we want to replace the old rail cars on the railway lines of the Central Bohemian Region with modern units which will offer passengers in this Region high-quality transport services at the level of the 21st century. I would just like to remind you that some 810 series rail cars are even fifty years old," recalls Petr Borecký, Member of the Council for Public Transport of the Central Bohemian Region.
“The order of additional vehicles under the framework agreement is a confirmation of the high quality of our latest PESA 847 RegioFox diesel multiple units. The satisfaction of passengers who will travel on the board of comfortable, safe and environment-friendly trains is the most important criterion for regional authorities, as well as for České dráhy and the PESA company. Once again, I would like to thank České dráhy for its trust and I am convinced that our good cooperation will continue to develop in the future as well,” said Krzysztof Zdziarski, President of PESA.
Passengers can look forward to 28 new units, especially in the western part of the Central Bohemian Region. As of 2026, their operation is planned, for example, on such railway lines as Rakovník – Kladno – Kralupy nad Vltavou, from Kralupy nad Vltavou to Slaný and Velvary, from Beroun and Zdice to Příbram and Březnice or from Zadní Třebáň to Lochovice and on some other services mainly in the Rakovník region. The area of operation of two other RegioFoxes is still to be decided about.
“The new ‘foxes’ will replace mainly the RegioNova units and partly also the rail cars of the 810 and 809 series. Thanks to the Central Bohemian Region's order for new trains, we will extend barrier-free travelling to other railway lines in the region and offer our customers significantly higher travel comfort. RegioFoxes are equipped with on-board Wi-Fi, USB connectors and 230 V sockets for the power supply of travel electronics, some seats have tables on which a laptop can be placed, and the interior of the trains is air-conditioned. In addition, the train with high-quality suspension of the bogies offers much quieter and more comfortable travelling than the outdated rail cars,” recalls Jiří Ješeta, Member of the Board of Directors and Deputy Director General of ČD for Passenger Transport.
The value of the order for another 30 RegioFox units is more than CZK 3 billion. This means that České dráhy has already ordered a total of 106 modern diesel units from PESA Bydgoszcz for more than CZK 10 billion.
In cooperation with the Central Bohemian Region, České dráhy will also offer modern barrier-free trains in the eastern and southern parts of the region. The well-proven and comfortable RegioShuttle RS 1 carriages, designated as RegioSpider by České dráhy, purchased from German carriers, will be heading there. A total of 34 of them will be operated on the railway lines of the Central Bohemian Region. The first of them will be put into service already in the second half of 2024.
Description of the RegioFox diesel units
- Modern bright and well-arranged air-conditioned interior with ergonomically designed upholstered seats in the 1st and 2nd travel class design, with a seating capacity of 115 seats,
- Wheelchair-accessible boarding with a vehicle floor at the level of the modern platforms with a pull-out platform to bridge the gap between the train and the platform and a pull-out step for lower platforms,
- For wheelchair passengers, they are equipped with rails to bridge the space between the platform and the carriage floor,
- Modern push-button operated sliding doors, centrally closed and locked before the train starts; in addition, for the blind and partially sighted, the front doors of the unit are equipped with a remote control responding to a blind radio as well as an acoustic beacon,
- A spacious wheelchair-accessible toilet fitted with a closed system,
- A folding counter for changing baby nappies,
- Electrical sockets for the power supply of passengers’ portable electronics, including USB ports,
- Wi-Fi,
- Tilting or folding tables depending on seat layout,
- Large spaces for prams, bicycles and transport of person s in the wheelchairs,
- A modern audiovisual information system providing information about the train journey and stops to all passengers, including blind, partially sighted or deaf people,
- For the blind and partially sighted, information labels in Braille are available on the board of the trains,
- A CCTV camera system,
- A state-of-the-art low-emission Rolls-Royce engine meeting the most stringent Stage V emission limits, also adapted to the use of modern HVO synthetic fuels,
- Equipped with the ETCS control system and GSM-R radio communication features,
- Maximum speed of 120 km/h,
- Power output 2x 375 kW,
- Length 44.42 metres,
- Weight 83 tonnes.
Author: Tiskové oddělení Českých drah
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