21 additional RegioFox diesel multiple units will enter on Czechia’s rail network by the end of this year, which will be added to the 56 RegioFox DMUs delivered in 2024 by the Polish rolling stock manufacturer Pesa Bydgoszcz.
They will operate on the rail lines in the Hradec Králové region, in the north-east part of the Czech Republic, as well as in Prague and Central Bohemia.
In addition, more modern RegioShuttle RS 1 type railcars, known as the RegioSpider trainsets, will arrive from Germany to operate these lines.
“Based on the demand from public transport customers in these regions, we currently have a contract for the delivery of a total of 106 RegioFox diesel multiple units from the workshops of the Polish company Pesa. We put a total of 56 of them on the tracks last year, this year we will continue with the delivery of 21 units,” Michal Krapinec, the CEO of České dráhy (ČD), said.
With the additional RegioFox DMUs, ČD will introduce 2,500 additional seats and modern amenities for passengers including Wi-Fi, sockets, air conditioning system, and a modern passenger information system to deliver a better standard for passengers.
During this year, the national carrier will introduce a total of 11 more RegioFox units to the lines in northeastern Bohemia, bringing the number of these modern units in the Hradec Králové Region to 26 by the end of this year. Another 7 such trains will then be delivered during 2026.
According to the contract, all RegioFox DMUs for Hradec Králové should be delivered during the autumn and will be ready for the the December change of timetables. Czech Railways is counting on their deployment on express and passenger services between Hradec Králové, Doudleby nad Orlicí (Rokytnice v Orlických horách) and Letohrad, where they will often replace decades-old motor cars. For this line, a model of connecting two sets will be used on departure and arrival from and to Hradec Králové, similar to the express trains to Trutnov and Svoboda nad Úpou / respectively. Náchod and Broumov.
In Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, 8 more RegioFox trainsets will hit the tracks this year, bringing the local regional fleet to a total of 18 RegioFox DMUs which will use the depot in Rakovník. The deliveries will then be completed in the Pilsen Region, where the last two Foxes will arrive.
RegioFox units are barrier-free, air-conditioned trains equipped with a wide range of services for comfortable travel to work, school or leisure activities. There is an on-board Wi-Fi network, electrical outlets and USB connectors for charging travel electronics, spaces for large luggage including strollers and bicycles, or an audiovisual information system. The trainsets are equipped with Rolls-Royce engines with the ability to use the latest generation of environmentally friendly HVO fuels, making them some of the most environmentally friendly diesel trains in Europe.
These trains have a capacity for 115 seats, including folding seats, as well as special places for 8 bicycles, 3 strollers, and 2 wheelchairs.
In 2021, ČD and Pesa signed a framework contract for 160 two-car RegioFox DMUs with an initial firm order for 33 trainsets, and in November 2023, the Czech national operator exercised an option for additional 33 DMUs.
Modernised RegioShuttle RS1 railcars
In addition, this year, České dráhy plans to gradually put into service modernised RegioShuttle RS1 railcars manufactured by Stadler, which carry the RegioSpider trains. By the end of the year, 7 cars should head to the Central Bohemian Region and 2 cars to the northern part of Bohemia, to the Ústí nad Labem region. As part of the modernisation, the interiors of the cars originally from Germany were modified, and some cars were equipped with air conditioning.
All vehicles will receive an on-board Wi-Fi network and 230 V and USB power outlets for charging travel electronics. The RegioShuttle RS1 will operate in the Central Bohemian Region on the Benešovsko operating complex. There, they will serve connections from Benešov u Prahy to Vlašim, Sedlčany and Tábor, replacing some of the last 810 and 814 series railcars and will be stored at the Tábor depot. The 7 RegioShuttles delivered this year should be supplemented by two more in January 2026. In the Ústí nad Labem region, the new trains will complement the already operating railcars of the same type and will serve the lines U21 Roudnice nad Labem – Bříza obec and U22 Vraňany – Straškov (– Bříza obec).
The RegioShuttle RS1 railcars have a modern low-floor concept and comfortable as well as smooth running and high driving dynamics. The maximum speed of the railcars is 120 km/h and the capacity is around 70 seats depending on the version, so they currently represent practically the only modern replacement for the remaining 810 series railcars.
In February 2024, České dráhy and its subsidiary DPOV company signed a contract for the modernisation of RegioShuttle RS coaches at its plants situated in Přerov and Veselí nad Moravou. The modernisation work includes the installation of a modern information system, a train control system and on some rail cars also new GSM-R radio communication systems and other elements.
11 RegioShuttle RS 1 type rail cars have been purchased from Heros which entered modernisation at DPOV facilities. They were manufactured in 1997 and 1998 and they have been operated by HZL, BSB and SWEG German carriers.
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