€16 million investment in dualisation, millions more in seats and WiFi

Prague, November 18, 2024 - Thanks to the investment of €16 million and the so-called dualisation, the Leo Express commercial trains will be able to use the traction system not only for direct current, but also for alternating current. Leo Express received a subsidy of about 40% from the Ministry of Transport for the conversion of the trains. The company plans to complete the installation of the dual system by mid-2028.  

Leo Express is also carrying out a complete renovation of its Economy Class seats on its routes between Prague and Ostrava and on to Krakow and Košice. The carrier is investing hundreds of thousands of euros in the renovation of 865 seats, including 20 for the disabled. As a result, the comfort of the new seats will be closer to that of the higher classes on the Leo Express trains. Ticket prices on the Prague - Ostrava route will remain unchanged at €4.1. After the improvement of the WiFi network (€51,000), the planned installation of 5G repeaters (€1 million), and the ongoing installation of ETCS (€5 million ), this is another significant investment by Leo Express in improving services.

"From mid-2028, Leo Express trains can operate on both alternating current and direct current, enabling us to expand our services. The Ministry of Transport has awarded us a subsidy covering approximately 40% of the €16 million investment, for which we are very grateful. Furthermore, we received the highest rating among all applications submitted in the subsidy call," says Peter Köhler, CEO of Leo Express.

Within the framework of the Operational Programme Transport 2021-2027 (OPD3), the company received a subsidy from the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic for the modification of Stadler Flirt train units to operate on the alternating current traction system. The planned modifications will allow the operator to continue operations on the Prague - Ostrava route after the planned change in the power supply system. "We collaborated with the consulting company EFA CZ, s.r.o. in preparing the subsidy application. Their experience and professional support were really helpful in successfully obtaining the subsidy," adds Peter Köhler.

Stadler won the tender for the implementation of dualisation, i.e. the ability of the train to use both DC and AC traction power. The company is also the manufacturer of the Flirt trains used by Leo Express on commercial routes between Prague and Ostrava and on to Poland and Slovakia. A significant number of Czech suppliers will be involved in the realisation of the contract.  

Leo Express invests millions in renovation of Economy Class seats and WiFi 

"Following the launch of the 5G WiFi network with almost 100% coverage, Leo Express is investing in further service improvements. The renovated seats will further enhance the comfort of our basic class. The seats will now have a sleek genuine leather finish, while we have also focused on modern design. Despite these investments, Leo Express will maintain Economy Class fares on the Prague - Ostrava route from €4.1. Thanks to these investments, we are maintaining the highest quality of long-distance transport in the Czech Republic that our customers are used to, but at affordable prices," says Peter Köhler, CEO of Leo Express.  

The seats will use new, higher quality, more durable materials and are finished in matt leather. The seats will meet all the latest safety standards and fire safety certificates. The renovation includes replacing the seat cushion foam with new foam, repairing the backrest foam and re-covering the seat cushions and backrests with leather in an elegant design. The seats will also be fitted with leather headrests for added comfort. The plastic seat covers will also be replaced with a higher quality material that will last longer.  

The carrier is renovating a total of 865 seats, 20 of which are for wheelchair users or people with reduced mobility or orientation. All seats will now have Braille numerals to help visually impaired passengers find their way around. Passengers will be able to try out the new seats on the first train, with the replacement on other units to be completed by the end of March 2025. 

ETCS, further enhancing services and facilitating travel for all, including the disabled

Leo Express is investing in improving its services. As well as renovating its seats, the carrier has increased its on-board internet coverage from 60% to almost 100% thanks to an investment of around €51,000 in 5G WiFi. Further improvements to the WiFi network will follow the planned installation of 5G repeaters at a cost of €1 million, for which Leo Express has received a subsidy.

"The investment in 5G repeaters will give passengers a more stable internet connection while travelling by train. 5G repeaters work by receiving the signal from the nearest 5G transmitter and boosting it to cover areas where the signal is weak or non-existent, which will also improve the quality of phone calls. Overall, this will improve the travel experience and customer satisfaction. Leo Express' extensive investment is made possible by the professional work of our excellent engineering and purchasing teams, who carry out and coordinate most of the work in-house," explains Peter Köhler. 

Next year will also see the introduction of online ordering via the on-board portal and the possibility of upgrading tickets already purchased. Customers will be able to upgrade for example from Economy to Premium Class for a fee, which includes even more comfort and free refreshments.

At the same time, Leo Express is constantly striving to improve the accessibility of its trains for all passengers. All Leo Express trains are low-floor, making it easy for passengers in orthopaedic wheelchairs or parents with a child in a baby carriage to get on and off. In addition, the Leo Express mobile app is adapted for the visually impaired, with a tailored voice navigation environment, including seat selection in the shopping process. The next step in making travel easier for everyone will be the refreshment ordering system in the on-board portal, which will make the menu fully digital.  

ETCS is currently being installed on Leo Express trains at a cost of €5 million. This will help to further improve safety, which is a priority for the operator.