Správa železnic (SZ) and ÖBB-Infrastruktur signed an agreement for better connections on Prague – Linz rail route, via České Budějovice. The agreement, signed on September 23, 2024, is strengthening the cross-border cooperation and covers the development of a study focused on a common strategic perspective for the route Prague – České Budějovice – Linz as a possible new high-capacity line.
The focus of the study is the analysis of the transport potential of the entire route for passenger and freight transport service in a European, international and regional context. This can be the basis for an updated cost-benefit analysis for the possible construction of a cross-border line. Based on the study, strategic prerequisites for further steps will be set. The first results are expected at the end of 2025.
“By signing the agreement, we are taking another important step towards analysing the potential of the cross-border axis Linz – České Budějovice – Prague together with our Czech colleagues,” Judith Engel, member of the board of ÖBB-Infrastruktur, said.
A further development of Prague – Linz rail route follows the existing modernisation project for Prague – České Budějovice section. “Thanks to our mutual cooperation, the line České Budějovice – Linz can become a full-fledged connection of the Czech railway not only to Austria, but also further to southern and western Europe, and to supplement the congested Děčín – Bad Schandau border crossing,” the Director General of the Správa železnic, Jiří Svoboda, said.
The modernisation of the České Budějovice – Linz line, the so-called Summerau Railway (Summerauerbahn), is expected to be implemented after 2040 because previous analyses focused only on measures on the Austrian side did not show a sufficiently high potential. This new study establishes a joint commitment to analyse the entire axis Prague – České Budějovice – Linz from the point of view of passenger and freight transport between the Czech Republic and Austria.
The 61 km Summerau Railway is an important connection for both commuters and leisure travellers and it is expected to be expanded from Linz to Summerau. Since 2017, ÖBB has been consistently continuing its station initiative programme on the line and modernised and made seven stations and four stops more attractive for passengers.
If implemented, the project will cut journey time from Linz to Prague from the current three hours and 40 minutes to two and a half hours is now a distant prospect. The trains would be able to run at 160 km/h.
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