Arriva has secured a major new rail contract in the Czech Republic, reinforcing its long-term growth strategy in the country while supporting the transition to cleaner, lower-emission transport.
The international transport operator has been selected to run rail services connecting the western city of Pilsen and surrounding communities under a new 15-year contract that will see a fleet of battery-electric trains replace existing diesel-powered rolling stock.
The contract, valued at €291 million, will begin in 2030 and run until 2045. It marks Arriva's third contract award in the Pilsen region and highlights the company's expanding footprint in the Czech rail market.
Under the agreement, six battery-electric trains will enter service in 2030, followed by a further six units in 2033. The trains will operate using overhead electrification where available and switch to battery power on non-electrified sections, significantly reducing emissions and improving operational efficiency.
Arriva has now been operating in Czechia for two decades and has grown into one of the country's leading transport providers. The operator currently runs approximately 2,000 buses and more than 100 trains, providing around 15,000 daily connections and carrying over 115 million passengers annually.
Alongside its regional rail expansion, Arriva is also progressing a significant investment programme in long-distance rail services.
Earlier this month, the first train body shell for a new fleet of fully electric trains being built by Škoda Group reached a key manufacturing milestone. The vehicles are being developed for intercity services and are scheduled to enter passenger service in December 2028.
The investment follows Arriva securing a €750 million contract from the Czech Ministry of Transport to operate long-distance services linking Prague, Pilsen and Western Bohemia, one of the country's busiest rail corridors.
Škoda Group has completed the design and technical development phase of the project and has now moved into prototype production. Assembly of the first prototype vehicles began in September, with the first body shell now completed.
Gianfranco Sgro, CEO of Arriva Group, said:
“The Pilsen contract win and Škoda production milestone are both strong examples of how we are investing for the long term across Arriva. Growing operations and modernising fleets is central to improving the passenger experience, making our services more accessible and efficient, while also supporting the transition to more sustainable public transport across Europe.
“Our growth in Czechia rail validates our ambition to be a trusted, long-term partner to transport authorities across Europe. By combining investment in modern fleets with smarter technology and our operational expertise, we can deliver better journeys for passengers while helping the regions we serve meet their connectivity and sustainability ambitions.”
The twin announcements underline Arriva's commitment to expanding sustainable rail operations across Europe while investing in next-generation rolling stock designed to improve reliability, passenger experience and environmental performance.
Image credit: Arriva
