The Czech Ministry of the Environment confirmed late on 8 December that nearly Kč 11 billion (€460 million) from the EU Emissions-Trading-System Modernisation Fund has been earmarked to electrify key rail corridors by 2028. The package covers 205 kilometres of track, including the busy Plzeň–České Budějovice freight axis and regional lines radiating from Olomouc.
Rail-infrastructure owner Správa železnic says the works will install 25 kV catenary, upgrade substations and raise line speeds to 120–160 km/h, shaving up to 40 minutes off passenger services and making overnight freight runs more competitive with road haulage. Grants will also be offered to operators that scrap ageing diesel locomotives in favour of multi-system electrics, directly supporting the EU’s target to shift 30 % of freight from road to rail by 2030.
![€460 Million EU Fund Will Electrify 205 km of Czech Rail, Speeding Business Travel]()
For corporate-mobility planners the project promises faster, lower-carbon connections between industrial hubs and western export gateways such as the port of Hamburg. Travel managers anticipate that electrified tracks, when paired with Czech Railways’ new ComfortJet rolling stock, will allow same-day itineraries between Prague and southern Bohemia without resorting to short-haul flights.
The funding decision comes just weeks after Prague Airport forecast that new EU aviation taxes could dampen regional flight demand. Shippers such as Škoda Auto and DHL have already signalled interest in diverting time-sensitive cargo to the upgraded rail lines, citing the predictability of electrified corridors.
Detailed construction schedules will be published in January 2026, but environment-ministry officials insist that disruption will be “manageable,” with most work timed for overnight blocks. Businesses are advised to review travel-policy wording on preferred modes now, as rail may soon overtake road for many intra-Czech assignments.
Rail-infrastructure owner Správa železnic says the works will install 25 kV catenary, upgrade substations and raise line speeds to 120–160 km/h, shaving up to 40 minutes off passenger services and making overnight freight runs more competitive with road haulage. Grants will also be offered to operators that scrap ageing diesel locomotives in favour of multi-system electrics, directly supporting the EU’s target to shift 30 % of freight from road to rail by 2030.
For corporate-mobility planners the project promises faster, lower-carbon connections between industrial hubs and western export gateways such as the port of Hamburg. Travel managers anticipate that electrified tracks, when paired with Czech Railways’ new ComfortJet rolling stock, will allow same-day itineraries between Prague and southern Bohemia without resorting to short-haul flights.
The funding decision comes just weeks after Prague Airport forecast that new EU aviation taxes could dampen regional flight demand. Shippers such as Škoda Auto and DHL have already signalled interest in diverting time-sensitive cargo to the upgraded rail lines, citing the predictability of electrified corridors.
Detailed construction schedules will be published in January 2026, but environment-ministry officials insist that disruption will be “manageable,” with most work timed for overnight blocks. Businesses are advised to review travel-policy wording on preferred modes now, as rail may soon overtake road for many intra-Czech assignments.
