Michal Krapinec, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of České dráhy, has been running the company since 2022. What successes did the carrier achieve last year, and what can passengers look forward to in 2025? There is indeed a great deal.
Last year, a new benchmark for fleet modernisation was set. Could you provide more details about this achievement?
Absolutely, last year was indeed a groundbreaking year for České dráhy. Our goal was to introduce over 140 new trains and locomotives, representing a record investment of CZK 19 billion. We achieved this, fulfilling our commitment to our customers, which makes me very pleased. The new trains provide a total of 22,000 comfortable seats. We have delivered numerous new electric and diesel units for regional services, including 54 electric RegioPanters and 56 motorised RegioFoxes. This has allowed us to continuously enhance travel quality on regional lines. But our efforts did not stop with the Panthers and Foxes. The first eight ComfortJet trains have started operating on longdistance routes, offering top-tier comfort on the rails. Additionally, we have introduced 22 Vectron locomotives. The pinnacle of our extensive fleet modernisation was the launch of the first four battery-powered trains in the Moravian-Silesian Region late last year. These Accu-trolley units are entirely new to the Czech Republic, with České dráhy being the first carrier to operate vehicles with this alternative propulsion. We have also improved passenger amenities, such as expanding on-board Wi-Fi and air conditioning and increasing barrier-free connections. I am thrilled that these initiatives have allowed us to offer progressively better services that align with European standards.
Comfort and speed are priorities for this year. What can passengers expect?
This year, our focus will be on long-distance transportation. We are expecting more ComfortJet trains, aiming to have fourteen by the end of the year. We will also start adding control and restaurant cars. Additionally, the first Vectron locomotives capable of 230 km/h are expected to arrive at the end of the year. We anticipate receiving about two dozen more RegioFox motor trains for regional routes in the Central Bohemia and Hradec Králové regions. These units are powered by Rolls-Royce engines, so anyone who dreamed of commuting in a vehicle with this brand now has the chance. It is not only about the train journey; having an easy way to buy tickets is also essential. We are continuously enhancing the Můj vlak (My Train) app, with plans to update its design and expand the offerings of regional integrated transport systems. Regarding long-distance travel, I would like to highlight the new international Ex32 line. Named the Baltic express, it connects Prague, Pardubice, Wrocław, and Gdynia on the Baltic Sea coast. We refer to it as a route to the European Caribbean, as Sopot is known. The northern part of Poland boasts beautiful beaches, a rich history, and excellent cuisine.
Many managers still find the internet quality in trains to be insufficient. Will there be any improvements?
We are consistently making intensive efforts to enhance the quality of our voice and data services. A significant innovation on the horizon is the Starlink satellite internet from the American company SpaceX. As one of the pioneering carriers globally, we intend to test a Starlink antenna specifically adapted for train transport in one of our InterPanter units. In this effort, we will also work together with the Czech Telecommunications Office. SpaceX will provide us directly with the antenna, eliminating the need for intermediaries. We believe this technology has the potential to revolutionise the quality of internet service on our trains. Currently, over 90 % of our long-distance routes offer Wi-Fi coverage, but we aim to enhance connection speeds further. We are installing 5G mobile signal boosters in Pendolino, railjet, and InterPanter units, and over 200 vehicles will undergo laser window modifications to improve mobile signal reception. We aim to ensure that train passengers can easily listen to podcasts, watch movies, or utilise he train as a mobile office for their work.
Thank you for the interview.
