THE Czech Republic's minister of transport Ing Antonín Prachař has resigned following intense criticism of his handling of a highway project and controversial management changes at national road and railway organisations.

THE Czech Republic's minister of transport, Ing Antonín Prachar, has dismissed the CEO of Czech Railways (CD), Mr Daniel Kurucz, after serving only nine months in office. CD's new CEO is Mr Pavel Krtek who was previously chief financial officer.

THE Czech Ministry of Transport and Czech rail infrastructure manager SŽDC have launched a feasibility study into the possible conversion of all lines currently electrified at 3kV dc to 25kV ac 50Hz.

GERMAN infrastructure manager DB Networks has issued a tender notice for a contract to reinstate the German section of the short cross-border link between Selb, Germany, and Aš in the Czech Republic.

OSTRAVA Public Transport (DPO), Czech Republic, which operates a 15-route 65km standard-gauge tram network, is inviting tenders for the supply of wheelchair-accessible trams.

THE first of 10 new coaches ordered by Czech open-access operator RegioJet from Astra Vagoane Calaroti, Romania, is currently undergoing testing between Prague and Žilina, Slovakia.

BOMBARDIER handed over the first of an order for 20 Traxx MS multi-system electric locomotives for Metrans, the open-access railfreight subsidiary of Hamburg Ports and Logistics (HHLA), on September 19.

A BILATERAL agreement to substantially reduce journey times on the Prague – Linz route has moved a step closer following a meeting between representatives of Czech infrastructure manager SŽDC and Austria's ÖBB Infrastructure in České Budejovice on September 3.

CZECH Railways (CD) and Slovakian Railways (ZSSK) have announced plans to shave almost an hour off the fastest journey times between the Czech capital and eastern Slovakia with the introduction of tilting trains on the Prague – Košice route.

POLAND's largest railfreight operator PKP Cargo has announced that it is in acquisition talks with the owners of three open-access freight operators in Poland and the Czech Republic.