ARRIVA has signed a contract with Škoda Group for the supply of 22 EMUs with a maximum speed of 200km/h that will be deployed on long-distance services in the Czech Republic. The contract is worth over Koruna 7bn ($US 330m) and includes an option for more trains.
Based on Škoda’s new low-floor 26Ev platform, two variants have been ordered by Arriva after it was awarded a 15-year operating contract by the Ministry of Transport, starting in December 2028. This is the first new train order to be placed by Arriva for its operations in the Czech Republic.
To operate R16 services from Prague to Beroun, Pilsen and Klatovy/Železná Ruda, Arriva has ordered 16 three-car EMUs each with 224 seats, equipped with a vending machine for drinks and snacks.
The three-car trains will also provide additional capacity on Ex6 express services from Prague to Pilsen and Cheb, where the main fleet will be the six four-car EMUs ordered by Arriva. They will each have 315 seats, a dedicated first class car, and a bistro section with a serving counter and kitchenette.
Both variants will have onboard Wi-Fi as well as sockets for charging small electronic devices, and will be equipped with internal and external CCTV systems. Boarding height is 600mm and door width 1300mm, and Škoda says that the low-floor interior will assist passengers with reduced mobility.
The new trains will be equipped to take traction current at 3kV dc and 25kV ac. Installed power ratings are 2.8MW for the three-car variant and 4.2MW for the four-car EMU. Both types can be modified to take power at 15kV ac.
Škoda says that the bogies of the new fleet are designed to operate at up to 230km/h, which combined with pressure sealing and enhanced fire resistance will enable them to operate on high-speed lines and in tunnels over 5km in length.
The new fleet will be equipped with ETCS and for automatic train operation (ATO), regulating speed and optimising braking according the timetable and gradient profile. Based on data from similar trains operating in the Baltic States, Škoda says that ATO can deliver a reduction in energy consumption of up to 15%. Remote monitoring and diagnostics will reduce fleet maintenance costs and improve reliability.
“This contract represents the largest investment in Arriva's history in Europe,” says Daniel Adamka, managing director, Czech Republic, at Arriva.
“We look forward to seeing these trains running from December 2028 on the routes from Prague to Pilsen, Cheb and the Šumava region, contributing to the further development of high-quality and modern rail transport in our country.”
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