The Trial Operation of the RegioFox Train Sets to Extend with Additional Units

Already last weekend, the experts of České dráhy tested the operation of a pair of coupled train sets and from Tuesday the operation of RegioFox units is being extended on the Central Bohemian railway lines from Rakovník to Beroun and from Beroun to Prague via Rudná u Prahy. Up to three of the five “foxes” available to České dráhy for trial operation will be running daily. They will travel almost 1,000 kilometres per day and will serve up to 38 trains on business days. The remaining units will be used for staff training, operational maintenance and elimination of deficiencies detected during trial operation activities.

“We currently have five new RegioFox units available for trial operation. One is intended for the Pardubice Region and the other four units are intended for the Central Bohemian Region and Prague. Thanks to the larger number of units, we can train more drivers and we will gradually extend the trial operation of ‘foxes’ on other train connections as well. They must travel a total of 50,000 kilometres before final approval and entry into regular operation. More units in daily operation will mean faster fulfilment of this requirement and a shift in the approval of units for regular operation,” points out Jiří Ješeta, Member of the Board of Directors and Deputy Director General of ČD for Passenger Transport.

České dráhy now has five RegioFox units at its disposal. These train units will be rotated on a daily basis in operation. Until yesterday, one unit was running every day, and last weekend double traction operation with two train sets was tested. From today, the operation is being extended to a total of three “foxes”. The PESA company can put up to six units into trial operation with passengers on the Rakovník – Beroun and Beroun – Rudná u Prahy – Prague railway lines. The new RegioFox units are also used for the training of depot maintenance staff and drivers. They have to pass an appropriate test of their knowledge in the area of the operation of the units before they can serve on the new trains in an autonomous way. At the same time, the units are being used for debugging and fine tuning of the systems and to eliminate any deficiencies which may become apparent during the trial operation.

“Railway passengers in Central Bohemia are the first to experience the new barrier-free trains and all their advantages. In addition to air conditioning, these include, for example, electrical outlets and USB connectors for charging travel electronics, mobile phones, on-board Wi-Fi network and other benefits. Thanks to the additional units included in the trial operation activities, a number of passengers will already be travelling on the board of these modern trains this autumn. All ten new RegioFox units should be approved and deployed on the Central Bohemian S6 and S75 lines during the autumn,” says Petr Borecký, Member of the Council of the Central Bohemian Region for Public Transport.

České dráhy has ordered 76 new RegioFox units. These units are intended for operation in the Central Bohemian Region and in Prague, in the Vysočina (Highlands) Region, South Bohemian, Pilsen, Pardubice and Hradec Králové Regions. Around twenty train sets should be put into operation still this year and deliveries of others will continue next year. The maximum speed of the new trains is 120 km/h and their power output is 750 kW. They offer a total of 115 seats and spaces for passengers in wheelchairs, prams or transport of bicycles. They are equipped with the modern European Train Control System (ETCS) and the GSM-R communication system. Since the beginning of their trial operation, the RegioFox units have travelled almost 21,000 kilometres.