The Alstom units presented are part of German orders from DB Regio and Landesanstalt Schienenfahrzeuge Baden-Württemberg (SFBW), and the platform is positioned for the Czech EMU 400 tender covering 60 trains with an option for 73 additional units for commuter and regional services in and around Prague.
The EMU 400 contract will be awarded either to České dráhy or RegioJet, the final two bidders in the procurement. Exercise of the option depends on the pace of infrastructure modernisation and electrification, particularly on the corridors towards Kladno and Prague Airport and towards Mladá Boleslav. If these projects are delayed, part of the fleet would be deployed on regional services towards Beroun and Kolín/Kutná Hora in the PID (Prague integrated transport) red and white liveries.
At Velim, Alstom presented a four-car configuration combining double-deck and single-deck vehicles with up to 380 seats and a maximum speed of 200 km/h. The modular platform allows configurations from 320 to more than 700 seats, depending on train length and interior layout. The units are equipped for ETCS and multiple-unit operation.
According to passenger surveys conducted by Alstom and presented by Michal Kučera, Customer Director of Alstom in Czechia, seat comfort accounts for up to 80% of passengers’ primary requirements for new trains. The remaining 20% relates to lighting, noise levels and thermal comfort.
One of the units tested in Velim forms part of DB Regio’s order for 29 Coradia Max units for services RE50 (Frankfurt–Fulda–Bebra) and RB51 (Frankfurt–Wächtersbach) within the RMV network. Another unit is from SFBW’s fleet; 26 trains in this batch are designed for operation at speeds of up to 200 km/h.
In Baden-Württemberg, the double-deck trains will enter service from December 2026. They will be made available to DB Regio Baden-Württemberg and Arverio under Lot 1 and Lot 2 of rail network 35 (Stuttgart–Bodensee-Netz) and will operate on various Regionalexpress and Metropolexpress routes.
The VUZ Velim test circuit enables testing at speeds up to 200 km/h, and up to 230 km/h with special authorisation. The facility supports all major European electrification systems and allows validation of traction, braking, noise and signalling systems, including ETCS, in continuous three-shift operation.
