The development of the depot, which is still in the design stage, comes as RegioJet’s fleet continues to grow. The maintenance facility will also be available to other operators such as Leo Express and Arriva.
While an opening date is yet to be determined, RegioJet is set to vacate its centre at Prague Smíchov severní nástupištĕ station as the area has been redesignated for commercial and residential uses.
Over the next two years, RegioJet will base its operations at the Prague Malešice site east of Prague, which is accessible from Prague main station, České Budějovice and Kolín.
The Prague main station - Prague Vršovice - Prague Hostivař line is currently under reconstruction. This will increase capacity, allowing Regiojet to move empty stock between Prague main station and Malešice. Czech Railways (ČD) also uses this line for passenger services and to move empty stock to its depot at Prague ONJ near Prague Vršovice station.
Management changes
The former CEO of ČD, Mr Miroslav Kupec, joined RegioJet’s senior management in the middle of January, where he has taken up a position as technical director.
He is reportedly responsible for fleet maintenance and expansion, as well as the acceptance of new vehicles. Kupec is leading the development of the new maintenance depot, and also establishing a depot at Prague Malešice to undertake minor tasks such as cleaning, small technical interventions and catering for RegioJet trains.
Kupec was appointed CEO of ČD in September 2018, but was dismissed from all his positions at CD by Czech transport minister, Mr Vladimir Kremlík, in June 2019 on the grounds that the government had lost confidence in Kupec’s ability to stabilise the personnel situation at the company.
