Regional train services are primarily ordered by the regions. We see our role as the necessary coordination to maintain accessibility and clarity for passengers across the country. Passengers must receive a service that is efficient and clearly presented to them; this is where we want to continue to influence individual transport commissioners. That is why we have the One Ticket project on the Czech railway, which we want to develop further so that it offers the owner the possibility of transport from A to B across the country using different means of public transport.
In addition, we contribute financially to the regions to maintain the scope and quality of public regional services on the railway, even though this is not directly our responsibility. Some carriers have started to invest massively in fleet renewal based on our and regional requirements, and new trains can already be seen on some lines.

The same; simple and contiguous transport from A to B using a variety of means and infrastructure adapted to it may be the only viable competitive alternative to individual car transport. We have the conceptual materials for this, we have the regulations for this (signs, building transport hubs, ...), so we believe that soon readers will be able to try it out themselves on a wider scale and the benefits of such travel will appeal to a wider range of those who travel more gently and think about relocation in a broader context. Many cities or municipalities are building terminals where people can change from trains to buses and vice versa, also with the help of European funding.

As part of the preparation of the state's transport service, we are working with the regions to link long-distance and regional transport. As I said, further work is needed on coordination and linking. In the interests of passengers and also in the interests of us, the customers, because making public transport more efficient also has the economic benefit of saving money. The first efforts, for example in the form of interregional train orders or the emerging demand-response transport, are already here, so it is a question of continuing on the path we have started. However, it must also be objectively acknowledged that some regional lines run through less densely populated areas where there is simply less demand for relocation by public transport.

We can already see that suburban capacity transport by trains is becoming increasingly important for commuting, schools etc. We need to adapt the necessary infrastructure (tracks etc.) to this and provide sufficient space for trains on it, as well as plan/allocate capacity on the lines more efficiently. The different interests need to be translated into a compromise that is beneficial to the customer-passenger. This trend is also linked to the process of automation, for example, and here I think we are moving with the times, both in the area of security (ETCS) and autonomous control, where we already have, for example, approved legislation for the operation of the forthcoming Prague Metro D in autonomous mode, i.e. without human control of the trains.

I like to recall my journeys by night train from Prague to Kysak. We used to visit my wife's family in eastern Slovakia, and as students we never took anything but night trains.

The basic task of the region is to ensure basic regional rail transport and to improve the quality of services provided towards passengers who expect these services. That is why, from the very beginning of the long-standing contracts for regional rail transport, our aim has been to provide better comfort for passengers, to modernise rail vehicles and to create good conditions for passengers to prefer rail to individual car transport. It is now commonplace for air-conditioned units with wifi and 220V connections to run on regional lines, enabling passengers to work even for shorter distances while travelling. In the old motor trains, nothing like this was common. We are also trying to expand the scope of service in the future depending on the connections of other carriers and in the interest of passengers according to the exact data from the carrier. From mid-December, after 13 years, the regular service from Dolní Lipka to Hanušovice will return, even on weekdays throughout the year. The route has experienced a significant revival in recent years. I am therefore glad that thanks to the minimum order that the county has maintained, but also thanks to nostalgic rides, it has not been cancelled. In other parts of the country, rail lines are being cut by some counties to reduce regional rail service. We, however, still see it as promising.

From the perspective of the Pardubice Region, with regard to the passengers themselves, we will always support solutions that allow transfers between train, bus and car or public transport within a reasonable distance. Several similar projects have been developed in our region in recent times. These include, for example, the terminal in Česká or Moravská Třebová, stations in Svitavy, Chrudim, Hlinsko, Heřmanův Městec and, of course, also in Pardubice, where there is also a connection to public transport. The problem is often the capacity of parking spaces, which is primarily a matter for local governments. Of course, seamless accessibility has an impact on the willingness of passengers to use rail transport. From a regional perspective, we have started to promote bike-sharing, offering a contribution to cities so that passengers can use this service free of charge for a 15-minute ride, which we consider sufficient given the size of the settlements. So far, the service is working very well in Česká Třebová and Moravská Třebová.

In general, I believe that passenger interest in public rail and bus transport is directly proportional to the availability of private cars. Regional transportation needs to be competitive in terms of cost of transportation, convenience and service provided. It is not enough to simply transport a passenger from A to B. The provision of other services such as internet access or the ability to charge a mobile phone or personal computer is an essential component. Under these conditions, regional public transport can play a key role for transport to work, school or the doctor. It is true that if a station is located outside the wider centre of a given settlement, it is necessary to work, for example, with local or shared transport to bring the boarding point as close as possible to the passengers' place of residence.

I firmly believe that the role of public transport will continue to be strong and play its role. I see smart solutions, for example, in connecting public transport with various information systems towards the public. Connecting the tracking of the location of a specific connection to the level of regional transport or automatic notification in case of train or bus delays. But the development goes even further. The integration of driverless vehicles is also undergoing testing, which is already the case in some of the world's metropolises in the metro. In regional transport, however, this is the music of the distant future.

Coming from a railway family, my father was a train dispatcher all his life, I was gradually introduced to railway operations from my early childhood. In recent years, I am happy that the summer season is inseparably connected with regular steam train rides not only in the Orlicko region. Every time I have the opportunity to take part in one of them, it is obvious that it brings people comfort and a pleasant feeling. During the ride they smile at each other, which is quite rare nowadays. However, if I return to normal operation, I would include among the experiences a ride in the driver's cab on the main railway corridor or a visit to the remote traffic control workplace in Prague at Balabenka.

The digitalization of signalling systems with remote control, which we produce at AŽD, and the development of autonomous trains are the way to maintain regional railway transport. The aim is to reduce the human factor as much as possible and thus make operations on regional lines, which are no longer competitive with road transport, cheaper. I am also curious to see how regional rail transport will cope with the planned introduction of the now very expensive single European Train Control System (ETCS). And then there is also the incredible amount of closures. I understand the need to repair and modernise, but what is currently happening is driving passengers off the trains.

Multimodality is undoubtedly an essential element for an efficient and sustainable transport system that ensures a smooth transition between different modes of transport and maximises passenger comfort. Sustainability, whether environmental or economic, is essential for us at AŽD. On the Plum Railway (Čížkovice - Obrnice), which we purchased in 2016, we are investing in infrastructure upgrades and promoting the integration of green technologies to minimize the environmental impact and improve the economic efficiency of our services. However, it is necessary to be sensible in the ratio of ecology and economics, so that it does not go wrong and ecology does not put us on our back economically. An example of this is the Green Deal, which is paved with good intentions, but I fear that its radical nature will paradoxically lead to a dramatic increase in the price of practically everything.

Yes, unfortunately the stations are historically located outside the village, while the bus will stop in the middle of the village. People are convenient, why would they walk miles to the train? The solution is cheaper fares, speed of services and also additional services. We have tried this on our Plum Railway, where we have been able to get people to the train. The fares are more or less the same as on the bus, but we get you from A to B much faster, plus we offer free coffee or tea for every passenger and other refreshments at purchase prices. It's true that coordination between customers sometimes suffers, but regional train services suffer most from the aforementioned closures. We try to get people on the train for many months with promotional events, music festivals, steam rides and so on, and then we drive them all off with one lockout a week. This needs to be resolved with better planning in the future.

Public rail transport plays a key role in the development of smart cities, where efficient and environmentally friendly mobility is essential. We see the future in integrating our advanced control and signalling systems into urban infrastructure, enabling smoother and safer transport that is better connected to other forms of urban mobility. Such transport will not only improve the quality of life of residents, but also support sustainable urban development in line with smart cities principles. While many dream and theorise about smart cities, we, in cooperation with other Czech companies, have applied such a system in Izmir, Turkey. Through smart technologies, we have primarily solved the complex traffic situation on the busy roads of this city of four million, where currently all modes of transport are perfectly interconnected and a smart app helps passengers to quickly find their way around.

I don't know if it can be called an experience, but I am extremely happy that I passed all the tests for the driver, and when I have time, I drive the train on our Plum Railway or on our second line Kopidlno - Dolní Bousov. Thanks to this, I have a completely different perspective on many problems on the railway and, when developing new technologies, I have a clear idea of how they should work not only in relation to train drivers. When I mentioned the Kopidlno - Dolní Bousov local line, I would add that we have turned it into an experimental line with a number of hitherto unknown technologies, where autonomous trains will be tested. A Competence Centre is operating here not only for university students, and a number of experiments are being prepared here that will positively influence the safety and fluidity of the Czech railway network and many European ones in the future.

Absolutely. I am convinced that regional rail has enormous potential and I want to develop it as much as possible. Electrify local lines, build new stations including connecting services, fine-tune timetables, connect transport modes in an edge-to-edge style. I am working closely with the Public Transport Passengers' Association, we are gathering experience in Austria, Italy and Switzerland and we really want to bring their models to us. I am critical of the current government, which is going the other way and trying to close some regional lines. The biggest problem I see is the decentralisation of planning and ordering and the way in which the regions change their priorities every four years. If we want to develop regional rail dynamically, this is the first thing we need to change.

I totally agree. And again, I can give specific beautiful examples from abroad: The Mariazellerbahn, the beautiful Val Venosta line from Merano to Malles, or the cross-border Pustertalbahn from the Brenner Valley to South Tyrol. These lines in particular are both transport and economically successful thanks to their excellent connections and the associated passenger services. There are plenty of examples just around the corner, so just call, make an appointment and start trying. I'm very serious about this and that's why I have the first specific meetings lined up for this fall. For next year, I also plan to open up the above ideas in public debates in the Chamber of Deputies and at the Railways Administration (Správa železnic), where I am a member of the Board of Trustees.

As I indicated above. I don't understand the state building regional lines somewhere, then changing the political representation in the region (in the role of the customer) and cutting the operation. Perhaps the worst example in this regard is the Central Bohemian Region. I have been organising the renowned Pardubice Railway Conference for ten years now and this topic resonates here more and more every year. I want to change this, and I believe that we will find a political consensus in the Chamber of Deputies across the political spectrum. However, it takes a lot of courage. Because no county politician will agree to have his powers taken away and decided by "the evil state". But this view is wrong and I believe it can be explained.

Honestly? He's kind of a yetti to me. A lot of people talk about it, but nobody's seen the real thing. Except for a couple of pilot projects. We certainly have the technology already, but the problem is a bit similar to counties. Each local government has its own decision making and changes its leadership every 4 years. That's why I'm glad there are a lot of great and passionate people, like the CityChangers project, connecting and sharing good examples. There is a lot that can be done, but we need to keep an open mind and pull together.

I am known to be an avid promoter of high-speed rail. So just HSRs. Every ride over 300 km/h photographed and remembered in detail. The coolest one took place last spring when we whizzed from Madrid to Barcelona, thanks to the willingness and kindness of Renfe management we were able to see the train driver's station. We were accompanied at full speed by a young train driver, chatting excitedly in English. About the charm of her craft, the scenery, the people she carries and the responsibility she has for them. These are the moments that will always remain in my railway heart ☺

The key factor for improving regional rail transport is first of all the electrification of lines and the introduction of the modern ETCS signalling system. We are working on both. We are also renovating station buildings and railway stops for the comfort of passengers. The speed of these changes depends primarily on the available funding. The adjustments are therefore gradual but continuous. 

Rail itself is one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport. Yet at the Railway Administration we are constantly looking for ways to make it even more sustainable. To promote multimodal transport, we are, for example, equipping stations in cooperation with municipalities with charging stations for electric vehicles and storage boxes for bicycles.

The location of some stops outside the village is a historical handicap that makes it difficult for some residents to access rail transport. We are trying to improve this situation as we upgrade the lines. Close cooperation with transport contract owners is essential for us, not only in terms of increasing accessibility, but also the attractiveness of rail for passengers in the regions. 

The future will only be as smart as how successfully we can use modern technology to coordinate and deliver transport. We all already live in a digital age that has accelerated information sharing. We should therefore strive to transfer this information across all modes of transport. This can make the public transport of the future even more convenient for passengers.

I use the railway every day, so there is no shortage of experiences. The most powerful was my first ride in the TGV between Paris and Avignon in 1991.