PESA Tests 200 km/h RegioJet EMU at Velim Test Center

VELIM, CZECH REPUBLIC – Polish manufacturer PESA Bydgoszcz achieved 200 km/h for the first time with its new electric multiple unit (EMU) platform intended for Czech private operator RegioJet during traction tests at the Velim Test Center. The milestone, confirmed by PESA representatives, validates the train’s acceleration, stability, and dynamic behavior at maximum design speed. First commercial passenger services are scheduled for December 2026.

What Are the Technical Specifications?

The PESA EMU 666 and EMU 667 models are multi-system trains capable of operating on both 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC overhead supply systems, enabling cross-border and international routes without locomotive changes. The platform is designed for a maximum speed of 200 km/h and complies with European Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI), equipped with ETCS Level 2 signaling and control systems. Passenger accommodation includes first- and second-class seating, dedicated family compartments, and onboard catering facilities with a kitchen area and bar. The exact number of units ordered and the total contract value were not disclosed at the time of publication.

Key Technical Data

Where Does This Technology Stand in the Market?

The PESA EMU enters a competitive Central European rolling stock market where multi-system capability determines route flexibility. By comparison, the Siemens Mireo platform offers multi-system variants reaching 160–200 km/h and has been ordered by operators including Czech Railways for regional and interregional services (Source: Siemens Mobility, 2023). The Škoda Transportation RegioPanter EMU series, already operating in the Czech Republic, reaches 160 km/h in its latest generation and supports 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC dual-voltage operation (Source: Škoda Group, 2024). PESA’s platform matches these competitors on top speed and interoperability but differentiates through onboard hospitality features including a full kitchen and bar, targeting RegioJet’s service model that competes directly with long-distance bus and rail alternatives. The traction tests confirm that PESA has closed a capability gap with Western European manufacturers at the 200 km/h threshold. The Czech railway market’s broader signaling modernization push, driven by EU digital transformation funding, creates additional demand for ETCS Level 2-equipped rolling stock of this type.

Editor’s Analysis

PESA’s milestone at Velim represents a strategic expansion beyond the manufacturer’s traditional Eastern European and Polish domestic base into a market where private operators are challenging state incumbents on service quality. RegioJet’s selection of a Polish supplier, rather than the domestic Škoda Group or a Western European incumbent, signals that procurement decisions on the corridor between Central Europe and the Balkans increasingly prioritize cost-performance ratios over established supplier relationships. The 200 km/h certification also aligns with pan-European corridor modernization initiatives that the railway sector has lobbied for in recent EU budget discussions, where regional connectivity funding targets precisely the cross-border services these multi-system EMUs enable (Source: Global Railway Review, 2025).

FAQ

Q: When will RegioJet start operating the new PESA trains?
A: The first commercial passenger services using the new PESA EMU 666 and EMU 667 trains are scheduled for December 2026, following completion of the ongoing technical and operational certification checks.

Q: Which routes will these 200 km/h EMUs serve?
A: RegioJet has not published specific route assignments. The trains’ multi-system capability—operating on both 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC—positions them for international and cross-border interregional services, likely connecting Czech cities with neighboring Central European markets.

Q: How many units has RegioJet ordered from PESA?
A: The total number of units under the contract has not been officially disclosed by either PESA or RegioJet at this stage of the testing and certification process.