The European Train Control System (ETCS) significantly enhances railway safety. In the Czech Republic, exclusive ETCS operation will be gradually introduced over a 620 km track length starting January 2025.
“From August, railway companies must operate with ETCS if they have vehicles equipped with the on-board system, trained drivers, and tracks equipped with ETCS. This requirement will extend to the Prague-Běchovice – Česká Třebová line from 15 September,” explained Transport Minister Martin Kupka.
According to the latest information from the Czech Railway Authority (Drážní úřad), 1,234 locomotives in the Czech Republic are already equipped with ETCS on-board units and have the corresponding operational keys. Additionally, over 2,000 train drivers have been trained. Czech Railways has equipped 420 railcars with ETCS and plans to increase this number to 520 by the end of the year.
Starting 1 January 2025, exclusive ETCS operation will begin on the Česká Třebová – Olomouc – Dluhonice – Prosenice/Přerov section. On 8 January, the Břeclav – Bohumín section will be added. The Česká Třebová – Adamov and Modřice – Břeclav sections will follow on 15 January. From 22 January, the Prague-Běchovice – Pardubice – Česká Třebová section will also be integrated into ETCS operation.
“The gradual introduction of exclusive operation in January next year will enhance our resilience to potential complications. This approach ensures that a single problem cannot jeopardize the entire system,” added the minister.
Between 2018 and 2024, Czech railway companies received CZK 7.2 billion to equip the on-board ETCS components. In September this year, the Ministry of Transport will announce another call for subsidies from the Transport Operational Programme, with an expected allocation of CZK 500 million.
The first route to feature exclusive ETCS pilot operation was the Olomouc – Uničov route in 2023. The target date for full implementation is 2030, by which time ETCS should cover the entire TEN-T network (Trans-European Transport Network). In the Czech Republic, this will encompass 5,200 km of railway lines.
