The Czech Ministry of Transport has launched a tender procedure to select the operator that will provide long-distance passenger rail services on the Prague–České Budějovice line.
Currently, services on the R26 Prague–Příbram–Písek–České Budějovice route are operated by Arriva, which took over operation of this line in 2022.
The new contract will take effect with the December 2027 timetable change and will have a base term of four years, until December 2031. The contracting authority has also included an option to extend the contract for an additional two years, which could extend the operating period until 2033.
The estimated value of the contract is CZK 784 million (EUR 31.7 million), a sum that also includes revenue from ticket sales.
According to the tender documentation, the transport service will remain broadly similar to the current one, based on a two-hour service interval between Prague, Písek, and České Budějovice.
An important aspect of the procedure is that operators are not required to purchase new trains for this contract. The Ministry of Transport permits the use of existing rolling stock, given that the initial contract period is relatively short. The authorities view this tender as a transitional solution until the launch of a long-term procedure, which will involve the introduction of a new fleet of trains.
Focus on comfort and safety
Although the basic requirements are similar to those in the current public service contract, the Czech authorities aim to improve the quality of services offered to passengers.
Thus, the tender documentation includes additional criteria that will influence the evaluation of bids, such as:
- 230 V power outlets for second-class passengers;
- Wi-Fi internet access;
- functional air conditioning systems.
In terms of technical performance, trains must be capable of operating at a speed of at least 100 km/h, both on electrified sections and on lines operated with independent traction.
Additionally, for safety reasons, all vehicles used on this route must be equipped with the on-board component of the European Train Control System (ETCS).
The tender is open until September 16, 2026, with a three-month deadline set to give operators sufficient time to prepare their bids.
The launch of the procedure is part of the Ministry of Transport’s strategy to continue the liberalization of passenger rail transport. In recent years, the Czech Republic has awarded several regional and interregional contracts through tenders, and Arriva, RegioJet, and České dráhy frequently compete to operate publicly funded services. The R26 route is one of the main connections between the Czech capital and the South Bohemian region, playing an important role in both regional mobility and tourist traffic to České Budějovice and the South Bohemian area.
The Prague–České Budějovice line is significant because it connects central Bohemia with the south, and also because tests were conducted on this route in 2025 with a Pendolino train that reached a speed of 200 km/h for the first time, exceeding the 160 km/h speed limit for passenger services.
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