Czech rail network modernisation is moving into a decisive phase. By the early 2030s, the country plans 600 kilometres of railway electrification and a wider ETCS expansion.

Czech rail network modernisation targets 600 km
Photo: Ministerstvo dopravy ČR

The Czech Republic is pressing ahead with a large upgrade programme for its railway network. Under the current plan, about 600 kilometres of lines will receive electric traction equipment, while modern train protection systems will be deployed more widely on important routes. The programme brings together railway electrification, safety technology and longer-term planning for changing rail operations.

The Czech Ministry of Transport and Správa železnic, the national railway infrastructure manager, have set out a new medium-term approach to electrification and the continued rollout of the European Train Control System, known as ETCS. The strategy is designed to support technological change in the rail sector and improve both safety and operational efficiency.

Czech rail network modernisation covers electrification and ETCS

According to the plan, around 600 kilometres of track will be equipped with overhead contact lines by 2031 and 2033 respectively. About 235 kilometres will be delivered within larger infrastructure modernisation schemes that also include electrification.

A further 355 kilometres are expected to be electrified through simpler projects. These works will not require major changes to existing railway infrastructure, which separates them from the wider reconstruction schemes.

The strategy also covers projects prepared by regional authorities with support from the Modernisation Fund. At the same time, it reflects expected changes in rail operations, including the growing role of battery-powered trains in the coming years.

ETCS expansion will focus on key Czech routes

A major part of the programme concerns ETCS expansion across the Czech network. The European Train Control System will be prioritised on routes included in the Trans-European Transport Network, or TEN-T, because these corridors account for most of the country’s rail traffic performance.

Around 90 per cent of traffic performance on the national network takes place on the main routes. For regional lines with lower traffic levels, the strategy proposes more cost-effective safety options, including simplified forms of ETCS and the Prostředek k zastavení vlaku system, or PZV.

The PZV system is compatible with ETCS onboard equipment installed on trains. It is intended to improve safety on regional routes, while reflecting the different operating conditions outside the busiest corridors.

Southern corridor to become a key ETCS milestone

Správa železnic says approximately 670 kilometres of railway lines already operate exclusively under ETCS. Another roughly 180 kilometres should be added later this year, extending the use of modern train protection systems on the Czech rail network.

One of the most important upcoming milestones is planned for December. Exclusive ETCS operation is expected to be extended along the full southern corridor between Prague and České Budějovice.

The wider Czech railway infrastructure agenda has also been followed by Railway Supply in the context of network upgrades, electrification and long-term investment planning. Tomáš Tóth, Director General of Správa železnic, said the revised strategy reflects investments already made by railway operators. It should also create further opportunities to equip more routes with modern train protection systems in an economically viable manner.