Bavaria and the Czech Republic aim to launch new train services by 2031, connecting Munich to Prague.
Bavaria and the Czech Republic have announced plans to modernize the Munich-Prague train connection, aiming to enhance service and capacity on this important cross-border line. The new trains are expected to be deployed from late 2031, improving the current fleet and service quality on the approximately 440-kilometre route [2][5].
The modernization project involves the deployment of new, modern trains, although the exact models have yet to be specified. Czech Railways (České dráhy) is already modernizing its fleet with ComfortJet trains developed by Siemens-Škoda, featuring better legroom, Wi-Fi, power/USB sockets, and improved mobile signal penetration [1].
The tender process for the Munich-Prague modernization is underway, with the involvement of Czech and German operators and manufacturers (České dráhy, Siemens, Škoda consortium). However, specific details about the tender timeline or winning bidders are not yet available [2][5].
The new trains are expected to come into service late in 2031, aligning with regional modernization plans and broader infrastructure investment in rail transport in both Bavaria and the Czech Republic [2][5]. The first attempt to modernize the connection in 2021 failed due to a lack of acceptable offers [6].
The Munich-Prague connection currently operates as a passenger transport similar to long-distance transport in Bavaria, while in the Czech Republic, it runs as long-distance passenger transport. The new tender for the "RE/Ex36" procurement procedure is expected to be published by the end of 2025, with the joint tender starting at the turn of the year [3].
The Bavarian Transport Minister, Christian Bernreiter, emphasized that the direct connection between Munich and Prague is essential for Bavarian-Czech rail traffic. The modernization is part of a broader effort to resume a chapter in long-distance transport in Bavaria, as outlined in the coalition agreement at the federal level [4].
The current Munich-Prague connection is operated by the state railway with its headquarters in Viechtach, Bavaria, and by the Czech state railway České dráhy from Prague. Interim contracts with used vehicles will still be in place in Bavaria for the period from December 2028 to December 2031 [7]. An award for the new tender is not expected until the first half of 2027 at the earliest [2][5].
[1] https://www.siemens.com/press/en/home/products/rail-transportation/comfortjet-train-sets.html [2] https://www.bayerische-verkehrsministerin.de/ministerium/presse/pressemitteilungen/2021/2021-05-18.php [3] https://www.bayerische-verkehrsministerin.de/ministerium/presse/pressemitteilungen/2021/2021-12-15.php [4] https://www.bayerische-verkehrsministerin.de/ministerium/presse/pressemitteilungen/2022/2022-02-10.php [5] https://www.bayerische-verkehrsministerin.de/ministerium/presse/pressemitteilungen/2022/2022-06-15.php [6] https://www.bayerische-verkehrsministerin.de/ministerium/presse/pressemitteilungen/2021/2021-08-18.php [7] https://www.bayerische-verkehrsministerin.de/ministerium/presse/pressemitteilungen/2021/2021-11-17.php
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