The latest batch of RegioFox diesel multiple units has begun arriving in Central Bohemia and Prague, marking the start of this year’s deliveries for the regional network. České dráhy will take over eight new two-car units from PESA Bydgoszcz by mid-December, with a total of 38 RegioFox trains scheduled to enter service in the region by the end of 2026 — the largest deployment of the type anywhere in the Czech Republic.
“We are starting the second year of extensive modernisation of diesel trains in Prague and Central Bohemia. At the end of the year, we will have 18 RegioFox units available in the region, providing more than two thousand comfortable seats in a modern, barrier-free and air-conditioned interior with Wi-Fi, USB ports and sockets for charging electronic devices,” said Michal Krapinec, Chairman of the Board and CEO of České dráhy.
He added that the units are equipped with modern Rolls-Royce combustion engines, tested also with HVO biofuel. “They are among the most environmentally friendly diesel trains in Europe, which is especially important in and around the Prague metropolitan area,” he noted.
The new units will gradually enter operation with the timetable change in mid-December. They will be deployed on semi-fast services on line R43 (Prague – Mladá Boleslav) and on stopping services on line S3 (Prague – Neratovice – Všetaty – Mělník). They will supplement the first ten RegioFox units already in service since last year on routes such as Rakovník – Beroun and Beroun – Rudná u Prahy – Prague.
Investment priorities for the region
Petr Borecký, Central Bohemian Region Councillor for Public Transport, emphasised the long-term commitment to upgrading rolling stock: “RegioFoxes bring our residents a completely different level of comfort and accessibility – they are faster, quieter, more comfortable and fully barrier-free. I am glad that on the lines to Mělník and Mladá Boleslav they will replace decades-old trains, and people will travel more reliably and in far better conditions.”
He also welcomed the forthcoming introduction of the units on the well-known Posázavský pacifik line. “Their comfort will be appreciated not only by local passengers but also by tourists,” he said.
Zdeněk Hřib, Prague’s Deputy Mayor for Transport, highlighted the improvement for busy commuter routes: “New RegioFox units, which replace decades-old trains, are not only barrier-free and air-conditioned, but also equipped with USB chargers, sockets, Wi-Fi and, in first class, laptop tables and wider seats.”
Financial framework and infrastructure readiness
According to Pavel Winter, Deputy Director of IDSK for Transport, the Central Bohemian Region’s investment in 28 RegioFox units totals CZK 2.9 billion. “The price of one unit is CZK 103 million. With a planned depreciation period of 30 years, the Region will pay almost CZK 100 million annually in depreciation once all vehicles are in service,” he said. He added that associated costs — such as maintenance facilities and ticket machine purchases — also amount to tens of millions of korunas per year.
ROPID Director Petr Tomčík underlined the operational benefits: “Compared with other lines, where RegioFox units replace partly low-floor Regionovas, the trains to Mělník and Mladá Boleslav will replace high-floor, decades-old sets. The new units are also noticeably more agile, making them much better suited for routes with frequent stops.”
Modernising the wider fleet
České dráhy has ordered a total of 106 RegioFox units from PESA, of which 72 have already been delivered and are in service across six regions. In parallel, the operator continues modernising its suburban fleet with electric RegioPanter units on lines S4/U4 (Prague – Kralupy nad Vltavou – Ústí nad Labem) and R41 (Prague – Kutná Hora), as well as introducing RegioSpider units on less frequented routes to replace class 810 railcars.
Technical specifications: RegioFox Class 847
- Capacity: 115 seats (including folding seats)
- Length: 44.4 m
- Weight: 83 t
- Maximum speed: 120 km/h
- Power output: 750 kW
- Engines: 2
- Transmission: hydrodynamic
- Bogies: 3
- Doors: 4
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