Czech Republic modernises rail network: 600 kilometres of railway lines to be electrified

The Czech Republic is continuing to advance the modernisation of its rail network. By the early 2030s, around 600 kilometres of railway lines are to be electrified, while modern train protection systems will be expanded on key routes.

The Czech Ministry of Transport and the railway administration Správa železnic have presented a new medium-term strategy for the electrification of railway lines and the further expansion of the European Train Control System (ETCS). The plans are intended to support technological transformation on the railways and significantly improve the safety and efficiency of rail transport.

According to the current plans, around 600 kilometres of railway lines are to be equipped with overhead wires by 2031 and 2033 respectively. Of this, 235 kilometres will form part of major modernisation projects that also include electrification. A further 355 kilometres are to be electrified through so-called simple electrification projects without major interventions in the existing infrastructure.

Projects planned by the regions and supported through the Modernisation Fund are also part of the strategy. At the same time, the concept takes into account new developments in rail transport, particularly the expected increased use of battery-powered trains in the coming years.

Foto: Ministerstvo dopravy ČR

ETCS to become the standard on key routes

Another key focus of the strategy is the expansion of the European Train Control System (ETCS). Priority will be given to introducing the system on routes that form part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Around 90 per cent of rail traffic performance on the Czech rail network is carried out along these main corridors.

For less heavily used regional lines, the concept envisages more cost-effective safety solutions. These include simplified ETCS variants and the “Prostředek k zastavení vlaku” (PZV) system, which is compatible with ETCS onboard equipment installed in trains and is intended to improve safety on regional routes.

According to the railway administration, around 670 kilometres of railway lines are already operating exclusively under ETCS. A further approximately 180 kilometres are expected to be added later this year. One of the most significant steps will be the planned extension of exclusive ETCS operation across the entire southern corridor between Prague and České Budějovice in December.

The Director General of Správa železnic, Tomáš Tóth, emphasised that the updated strategy takes into account the investments already made by railway operators while also creating additional opportunities to equip further routes with modern train protection systems in an economically viable manner.