Czech open-access operator Leo Express on 23 April showcased its first Spanish-built Talgo S6 carriage set at Prague Main Station, signalling a strategic shift toward longer-distance, cross-border rail. The locomotive-hauled trains – each offering business, economy and a new bistro car – will enter commercial service next week on the Prague-Bratislava-Prešov corridor, with intermediate stops in Pardubice, Olomouc and Břeclav. The company has leased three Talgo sets and Siemens Vectron locomotives from Railpool, giving it the flexibility to extend operations into Poland and eventually Ukraine once safety conditions allow. COO Maxim Kysil told reporters that Leo Express is already seeking Polish and Slovak regulatory approvals and hopes to run to Kraków and Košice by year-end. The move responds to strong demand for comfortable, Wi-Fi-equipped alternatives to short-haul flights and long car journeys. For Czech employers the new service promises quicker, greener links to key regional markets. End-to-end Prague–Bratislava journey time will be just under four hours, with onboard power sockets and quiet zones aimed squarely at laptop-toting business travellers. The bistro car will carry locally sourced food options, part of the operator’s ESG branding. Mobility managers should monitor the roll-out closely: Leo Express says corporate volume discounts and integrated ticket-hotel packages are in development. Early adopters may gain access to soft-launch fares and priority seat allocation during the first summer of operation.
Source: Zdopravy.cz
