České dráhy would like to organise seven public contracts for the delivery of several dozen new vehicles, if possible still by the end of this year. Altogether, the company will acquire more than 160 vehicles for long-distance and regional transport in the presupposed value of about CZK 20 billion. The managerial intent has already been approved by both the Supervisory Board and the Steering Committee. The carrier will sign general agreements with winners of the tenders and will only purchase the vehicles in the event that it acquires a part of the means necessary for their purchase from the Operational Programme for Transport II, or if it makes agreements with the entities contracting transport services with regard to settlement of costs associated with their introduction.

“Within the framework of seven public contracts we will be looking for manufacturers of 90 carriages and 31 electric units for long-distance transport, 30 electric and 8 motor units for regional transport and 5 non-traction push-pull sets for regional transport,” clarified Michal Štěpán, Member of the Board of Directors of ČD responsible for the passenger transport section.

České dráhy currently deals with the business model after 2019, when a part of long-term contracts made with the regions and the state will end. The number of vehicles acquired is based on negotiations conducted with individual regions and on published intents of the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic within the framework of the process of opening of the long-distance transport market.

“If we want to succeed in the competition fight, we must be prepared for fulfilment of the wishes of contracting entities. Thanks to general agreements we will already have suppliers selected in advance, and if we are awarded the transport service contracts, we will be able to order production of new vehicles at once. This means that we will save time and we will provide our customers with better quality much sooner. At the same time we will be able to draw subsidy means from the Operational Programme for Transport II, intended for renewal of rolling stock in regional transport. Of course, we are ready for the co-financing of the purchase,” added Miroslav Kupec, Member of the Board of Directors of ČD responsible for the technology, service and property section.

(Source: ČD)