CZECH regulator Transport Infrastructure Access Authority has granted Leo Express permission to establish new international services and increase service frequency on several existing routes with the December 2024 timetable change.
Leo Express will introduce a new service between Prague and Bratislava in neighbouring Slovakia. Trains will operate twice daily via Olomouc and Břeclav, departing from Prague at 08.10 and 18.10, with a journey time of 5h 13min. Return trains will depart at 07.20 and 14.30, arriving in the Czech capital at 12.35 and 19.45.
Leo Express told IRJ that its request to operate the route is not new, but that it recently reconfirmed its interest. It has submitted a revised rolling stock plan to deploy Siemens Vectron locomotives and internationally certified coaches on this route. The operator does not yet possess these locomotives or rolling stock.
Úřední deska has also approved Leo Express’ request to increase the frequency of its existing Prague - Wroclaw Główny service to up to four times a day in December 2024. Part of this service is operated under a public service obligation (PSO) contract with the region of Pardubice. Trains will depart Prague at 07.00, 11.00, 15.00 and 19.00, returning at 05.00, 09.00, 13.00 and 17.00. Leo Express will operate the service using its original fleet of class 480 Stadler Flirt five-car EMUs.
Finally, Leo Express will increase the frequency of its Prague - Katowice - Kraków service to five trains per day. The trains will depart Prague at 06.00, 09.00, 15.00, 18.00 and 22.00, taking 6h 7min for the journey, returning at 02.30, 04.30, 06.30, 12.30 and 15.30 with a 6h 1min journey time planned. Leo Express will again use its class 480 fleet on this service.
