Leo Express submitted the request for paths in January 2019. The journey is estimated to take about 10 hours with trains set to serve Ostrava, Katowice, Krakow, Tarnow, Rzeszów and Przemysl. Leo Express has not yet announced when the service will start.
The permit, which is valid for five years and concerns only the Polish section, obliges the operator to provide four daily return services. Leo Express would struggle to meet these demands with its current fleet, which comprises five Stadler five-car class 480 EMUs.
However, the operator is awaiting delivery of three new EMUs manufactured by CRRC. A single Sirius EMU is currently undergoing tests at the Velim test circuit in the Czech Republic as it awaits an Authorisation to Place in Service. The contract with CRRC includes an option to purchase an additional 30 trains.
Leo Express has also filed a request to enter the Ukraine network using the 8km 1435mm-gauge line from Medyka to Mostyska II.
