Siemens and Škoda Transportation consortium signed with Czech Railways a EUR 115 million for the supply of 50 Viaggio Comfort passenger cars. The first delivery is planned within 32 months.
Siemens will be responsible for the engineering, production of the car bodies, delivery of the bogies and the dynamic commissioning as well as authorization. Škoda will handle the electric and mechanic final assembly and the static commissioning and delivers auxiliary converters and control cabinets.
The cars, operating as five-unit trains, will have semi-rigid rod couplings and pressure-tight gangway connections. Each end of the train has a standard UIC coupling that enables the cars to be operated with different types of cars and locomotives.
The train has an overall length of 132 meters, 330 seats with WLAN reception, power outlets and USB ports, and a top speed of 200 km/hour. The modern and spacious cars are air conditioned. 
The new cars will have three spaces for wheelchairs, charging stations for electric wheelchairs, a barrier-free toilet and an electric lift for entering and exiting the car. For families with children, an area will be furnished with a cinema, space for baby buggy and a diaper-changing table. Space for eight bicycles is also planned.
ČD will renew and expand its mainline service offering with the new passenger cars, which are based on Siemens’ Viaggio Comfort platform. These cars were previously also used in the ČD Railjet trains. The new offering has been designed as an open system that will enable flexible operation of the cars based on varying demand on the routes they serve.
“The new concept combines the comfort and equipment of high-speed trains with the advantages offered by locomotive-hauled trains. This will enable us to further strengthen our competitiveness in mainline transport, not only within the Czech Republic, but also in Central Europe,” Pavel Krtek, CEO of Czech Railways said.
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