THE European Commission (EC) has given the Czech government approval for a state-funded scheme to promote intermodal transport.

THE first Bombardier Traxx MS2E locomotive for RegioJet entered passenger service with the Czech open-access operator on May 16, working the 17.48 Prague Hlavní - Ostrava - Návsí service.

CZECH infrastructure manager SŽDC has awarded engineering consultancy Sudop Praha a Koruna 6.9m ($US 320,000) contract to carry out a feasibility study into the construction of a high-speed line linking Prague with Brno and Breclav on the Austrian border.

CZECH Railways (ČD) has invited bids for contracts to equip 468 vehicles of 24 different types with ETCS.

CZECH Railways (CD) has launched an international tender for a framework contract to supply up to 50 dual-voltage EMUs for regional services.

THE first Tango NF2 LRV for the standard-gauge tram network in Ostrava arrived in the Czech city on April 23 after completing its road journey from Stadler’s Siedlce plant in eastern Poland.

CZECH and Slovak open-access operator Regiojet received its first two Traxx multi-system electric locomotives from Bombardier on April 14.

CZECH infrastructure manager SŽDC has awarded OHL ZŠ, the Czech subsidiary of Spanish construction firm OHL, a €172m contract to reconstruct the Sudoměřice - Votice section of the Prague - České Budějovice line.

THE European Commission (EC) has approved the takeover of Škoda Transportation by investment company PPF Group, officially based in the Netherlands but owned by Czech entrepreneur Mr Petr Kellner, one of the richest persons in the Czech Republic.

THE first of 13 five-car rakes of Mark 5A coaches, which CAF is building for British franchisee Trans-Pennine Express (TPE), is on its way from Spain to the Velim test track in the Czech Republic.