THE Czech Ministry of Transport and infrastructure manager SŽ have revised plans for the deployment of ETCS across the national railway network, delaying implementation on some routes and scaling back installation on certain secondary lines due to funding constraints.
Priority will be given to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors and the country's primary lines, which carry the vast majority of passenger and freight traffic. SŽ estimates that nine out of 10 trains operating in the Czech Republic will run under ETCS once the programme is completed and is targeting the deployment of ETCS Level 2 on these routes.
Currently, ETCS Level 2 is installed on the Uničov - Olomouc. However, the system could be used for future upgrade projects,SŽ says.
For lightly used secondary lines, the infrastructure manager will introduce a simplified version of the system known as ETCS PZV rather than full ETCS. The system includes automatic braking and train stopping functions designed to prevent signals passed at danger. ETCS PZV is compatible with existing onboard equipment, meaning railway operators, leasing companies and rolling stock owners will not require additional vehicle investments. Installation is not expected to begin before 2030.
The decision comes after several train accidents and safety incidents on secondary lines in recent years.
“The concept for securing lines outside the main corridors will reflect their actual use by passenger and freight services and correspond to the real needs of the Czech railway network,” says transport minister, Ivan Bednárik. “We are working intensively with the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) on authorisation of ETCS PZV. The system is not technically new to us, as we already use it temporarily during infrastructure modernisation projects. Stopping trains through the signalling system remains a key aspect of railway safety."
SŽ CEO, Tomáš Tóth, says the revised implementation plan will protect investments already made by operators in onboard ETCS equipment while creating scope to improve safety on lines where full ETCS installation could threaten long-term economic viability.
SŽ currently operates 670km of railway under exclusive ETCS operation. A further 180km is due to enter service this year, increasing the total to 850km.
The next major milestone will be the introduction of exclusive ETCS operation on the entire southern corridor between Prague and České Budějovice from the start of the 2027 timetable on December 13. The signalling upgrade will support speeds of up to 200km/h on sections that have been modernised and partially realigned over the past decade.
Wider investment plan revised
SŽ has also updated its broader railway investment programme. Under its medium-term plan, the infrastructure manager aims to complete 235km of line modernisation and electrification between 2031 and 2033.
A further 355km is planned for what SŽ describes as “simple electrification,” involving the installation of overhead wiring without major infrastructure alterations, extensive legal procedures or track remodelling.
The electrification strategy incorporates projects proposed by regional authorities and supported through the Czech Modernisation Fund. It also reflects the anticipated growth in battery-electric train operations, which could reduce the need for conventional electrification on some routes
Several regional transport authorities and passenger operators, including the national operator ČD, have already ordered battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) with support from government funding programmes. Leo Express is seeking to purchase up to 140 BEMUs for use on Czech regional lines.
“The aim of the new electrification concept is to target investment where public funding delivers the greatest benefit and multiplier effect for passengers, freight customers and railway operators,” Bednárik says. “At the same time, we want to develop the network in a balanced way for long-distance, freight and regional services. Our action plan is based on the realistic readiness of individual projects and the requirements of customers and operators.”
