Czech Railways Adds 822 New Vehicles, Scraps 500 in Czech Republic

Czech Railways Accelerates Fleet Modernization and Vehicle Scrapping

Czech Railways (ČD) is executing a large-scale fleet renewal in the Czech Republic, scrapping 279 obsolete vehicles last year as part of a four-year modernization initiative. The program has introduced 822 new vehicles to the network and necessitates the ongoing disposal of hundreds of older carriages and locomotives to create depot capacity. This year, the company plans to decommission an additional 500 units from its active fleet.

Rolling Stock Disposal Details

The disposal program targets both traction units and passenger carriages. In the previous year, ČD removed a total of 322 vehicles from its roster, comprising 279 units sent for physical dismantling and 43 units sold to new operators. The scrapping rate averaged approximately one vehicle per working day. Financial details regarding the cost of scrapping or the revenue from vehicle sales were not disclosed.

The primary traction vehicles designated for scrapping were electric multiple units (EMUs) from the 460 series and diesel multiple units (DMUs) from the 810 series. Associated trailer carriages, including the 063, 010, 012, and 015 series, were also dismantled. Among passenger cars, the focus was on older compartment-style coaches, colloquially known as “koženky.” Specific models removed included 54 units of the B249 type and 70 units of the Bdt series, which feature a saloon-type layout. Additional scrapped stock included carriages of the Bdmtee and BDs types, which were common on regional and long-distance fast trains.

The 43 vehicles sold were acquired by entities in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland. The sales portfolio included 810 series DMUs, various UIC-Y/B 70 express train carriages such as the B249 series, and several vehicles classified as historic.

Fleet Acquisition and Modernization

The fleet renewal is the result of a four-year investment program that has added 822 new vehicles, providing nearly 45,000 seats in air-conditioned interiors. According to ČD CEO Michal Krapinec, the high volume of new train deliveries required the operator to free up significant space in depots and stabling yards, making the accelerated disposal of obsolete stock a logistical necessity.

The new procurements include a mix of electric and diesel units from multiple European manufacturers. The largest components of the order are 110 RegioPanter EMUs in two- and three-car configurations built by the Škoda Group and 106 RegioFox DMUs manufactured by Pesa. For long-distance services, the company is introducing 20 ComfortJet trainsets. The motive power fleet is being augmented with 150 Siemens Vectron locomotives, of which 50 have been delivered and 100 are being leased.

Strategic Context and Market Impact

This modernization directly supports the Czech Republic’s national transport strategy, which aims to improve the quality and competitiveness of public rail transport. The replacement of aging, high-maintenance rolling stock with modern, energy-efficient vehicles is essential for increasing passenger satisfaction and operational reliability on key national and regional corridors. The scale of the investment solidifies the market position of suppliers such as Škoda Group, Pesa, and Siemens in the Central European rail market.

The decision to scrap the majority of decommissioned vehicles, rather than sell them on the secondary market, is a strategic move to permanently elevate the baseline quality of the national fleet. This prevents older, less efficient assets from potentially being acquired by competing private operators within the Czech market. The sale of a limited number of vehicles to foreign buyers indicates a niche demand for specific legacy models, but the primary focus remains on permanent fleet renewal through disposal.

Next Steps

Czech Railways will proceed with the disposal of an additional 500 carriages and locomotives throughout the current year. The company will also continue to identify and engage potential buyers for select vehicles suitable for resale. Deliveries of the newly acquired rolling stock, including the leased Siemens Vectron locomotives, are ongoing.