České dráhy up to 120 trains
As announced by RAILMARKET earlier, České dráhy has launched tenders for up to 120 battery-electric multiple units, split between BEMU130 and BEMU135 variants, according to the national operator. The framework agreements cover regional services ordered by Czech regions and include a guaranteed order for 13 trainsets, with further call-offs and maintenance options foreseen. The procurement was published in January and is structured as a negotiated procedure with prior publication.
RegioJet – up to 200 trains
RegioJet has opened what it describes as one of the largest rolling stock procurements in the Czech market to date, covering up to 200 multiple units of several types, including battery-electric and electric units, together with long-term maintenance. The framework tender, published on the operator’s buyer profile, has an estimated value of CZK 36.6bn (EUR 1.46bn) including service.
The procurement is divided into three lots. The first covers 125 BEMU 121–150 battery-electric units with an option for a further 25 vehicles, intended for deployment across most Czech regions.
The second lot concerns seven BEDMU 180 units with an option for three more, earmarked exclusively for Liberec Region; this is the same vehicle type RegioJet has already secured for Ministry of Transport-ordered fast services in the area.
The third lot includes 22 EMU 121–150 units with an option for eight additional trainsets, and six EMU 230 units with an option for four more. In total, the base order covers 160 units, with options for a further 40.
The contracts are structured as framework agreements and will only become effective if RegioJet wins the relevant regional public service tenders. Manufacturers may bid for all lots or for individual parts only. The tender also includes a 15-year full-service maintenance package, under which responsibility for fleet upkeep would sit with the manufacturer. Price accounts for 75% of the evaluation in the first two lots, with the remaining 25% allocated to the cost of full service.
Leo Express tenders 11 trains
Leo Express has also published a tender for battery units under the TRANSGov programme. The open procedure covers a guaranteed delivery of 11 battery-electric vehicles, with options bringing the total to up to 41 units. The main place of performance is listed as Prague, and the vehicles are intended for services operated under public contracts supported by zero-emission funding schemes.
Arriva with tender for 22 trains
Arriva’s plans are reflected in a rolling stock procurement published on the EU’s TED platform, linked to its long-distance operations in Czechia. The operator has stated that the new electric multiple units will be used on Ministry of Transport-ordered routes including Prague–Cheb (Western Express) and Prague–Klatovy (Berounka fast services), with a fleet sized at 22 trainsets and designed for operation at up to 200 km/h. The total investment for these trains has been cited at around CZK 7.4bn (EUR 300m).
Together, the four procurements show that battery-electric and electric multiple units have become a standard requirement across Czech passenger rail, driven by regional tender conditions and eligibility for zero-emission funding under programmes such as TRANSGov.
