Especially on the main routes, the Ceske Drahy has private competition. But the competition also improves the service of the Czech State Railways.
(Photo: Imago)
Vienna It’s the little things that spoil Czech rail customers. Anyone who makes a seat reservation via an app, for example, can cancel it free of charge up to 15 minutes before the train departs.
Some see this luxury as a blessing of the market economy. Because in the Czech Republic it is not only the state railway company Ceske Drahy that travels the rails; since 2011 and 2012 the private providers Regio Jet and Leo Express have also been in business.
For Czech rail experts, one thing is clear: travelers have rail liberalization to thank for the uncomplicated reservation process. “Passengers really appreciate this offer,” says Jan Sura, publisher of a rail news site.
The European Union (EU) has been trying for years to liberalize rail transport and to allow free access for providers (“open access”). However, it is only making slow progress – also because the state railways are blocking the complex project.
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