České dráhy has put the most modern ComfortJet long-distance trainsets into regular operation on selected trains connecting the Czech and German metropolitan centres. Two trainsets serve passengers in a regular configuration on the EC 178/175 and EC 176/177 Berliner services from Prague to Berlin and back. The trainsets are operating in a temporary eight-car configuration, the new carriages are supplemented in the trainset by classic-style dining cars.
“With the deployment of the ComfortJet trainsets on the prestigious Prague – Berlin line, we are symbolically starting a new phase of putting our most modern train on the tracks. We currently have four trains of eight carriages ready for operation, which are now running not only to Germany, but also in one case to Slovakia,” said Michal Krapinec, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of České dráhy, continuing: “In the past period, we have focused on the testing and tuning of all train systems in close cooperation with the Siemens Mobility and Škoda Group production consortium so that we can offer passengers the maximum comfort provided by the new carriages from the very first journey. I am convinced that deliveries of further ComfortJet trainsets will continue at a rapid pace for us to be able to deliver them to our passengers as soon as possible.”
The first service on which the ComfortJet trainset was regularly deployed was Sunday's EC 178 train, which departed from the Prague Main Railway Station at 06:28 hours.
Current deployment of the ComfortJet trainsets on the Prague - Berlin line
- EC 178 Berliner: Praha hl.n. (6:28) – Dresden Hbf (8:54) – Berlin Gesundbrunnen (11:02),
- EC 175 Berliner: Berlin Gesundbrunnen (12:44) – Dresden Hbf (15:10) – Praha hl.n. (17:24),
- EC 176 Berliner: Praha hl.n. (8:28) – Dresden Hbf (10:54) – Berlin Gesundbrunnen (12:53),
- EC 177 Berliner: Berlin Gesundbrunnen (14:44) – Dresden Hbf (17:10) – Praha hl.n. (19:24).
ComfortJet in points
- Large-space air-conditioned interior,
- Pressure-tightness of the entire trainset (especially important when travelling at higher speeds) to protect passengers from pressure surges and thus ear discomfort when passing through tunnels or meeting trains going in an opposite direction, while helping to create a quiet and clean interior for a long time,
- End carriage with a possibility of a frontal passage to possible supporting carriages,
- Internal accessibility, including wide permanently open inter-carriage gangways, automatic sliding doors between compartments and boarding areas operated by a photocell,
- Push-button operated boarding doors and a selective unlocking system for the boarding doors, which allows the doors to be centrally closed and locked against opening before the train starts to go and unlocked after the train has stopped (on the platform side only),
- Ergonomic adjustable seats in the first carriage class in a 2 + 1 configuration with leather covering and in the second carriage class in a 2 + 2 configuration with textile covering, the seats are situated behind each other (aircraft configuration) as well as opposite each other (vis-à-vis),
- Folding tables at the seats behind each other and fixed tables between the seats in the configuration opposite each other,
- Overhead shelves for normal luggage and racks for large luggage,
- Individual reading lights integrated into the luggage shelves in both the 1st and 2nd carriage classes,
- Wireless mobile phone chargers in the 1st carriage class,
- 230 V sockets and USB C-type connectors for the power supply of passengers’ portable electronics,
- Innovative window technology to allow mobile phone signals to pass more easily into the trainset while maintaining the thermal insulation properties of the glass,
- Retractable sun blinds in the windows,
- Wireless data Wi-Fi network for the internet connection,
- Entertainment and information on-board portal,
- Electronic audiovisual information system with LCD monitors and an electronic reservation system,
- Wheelchair accessible travel solution including 3 wheelchair spaces for passengers with impaired mobility, wheelchair accessible toilet, electric lifting platforms for wheelchair boarding/deboarding and sockets for recharging electric wheelchair batteries, folding tables for wheelchair passengers,
- For the blind and partially sighted passengers, the train is equipped with haptic buttons and Braille signs and moreover with a remote control for entrance door by using the radio for blind people,
- Children’s cinema, children’s board game in designated areas, a folding counter for changing baby nappies, places to store prams,
- Storage space for 12 bicycles (including sockets for the charging electric bike batteries) and large luggage,
- At one end, the unit is equipped with a traditional UIC interface which allows connection and passage to other cars of the conventional construction,
- Approved for operation in the Czech Republic as well as surrounding European countries (Germany, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Denmark),
- Fire protection system and an emergency brake override system to enable operation in very long tunnels, such as the Koralm Tunnel (32.9 km), Semmering Base Tunnel (27.3 km) or Fehmarn Belt Tunnel (17.6 km),
- Possibility of operation on high-speed lines,
- In the final configuration: First-class front control car, first-class inserted car, inserted car with a dining compartment and a second-class compartment, second-class inserted multi-purpose car (children's cinema, wheelchair spaces, etc.), four second-class inserted cars, second-class end car (bicycle transport compartment),
- 99 seats in the 1st carriage class, 456 seats in the 2nd carriage class,
- Dining compartment with 18 seats and the possibility of buying hot or cold meals and other refreshments during the journey, with a modern kitchen with chilled food technology and a multi-modal convection oven for heating meals, a coffee machine, a beer-tap system and a dishwasher for environment-friendly reusable dishes.
Author: Tiskové oddělení Českých drah
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