Rail Business Days 2025 in Full Swing: Key Debates, New Rolling Stock, and Industry Milestones in Ostrava

The international railway trade fair Rail Business Days 2025 is now fully underway in Ostrava’s Trojhalí Karolina venue.

The event has opened its doors to both industry professionals and the general public, offering a dynamic programme that includes high-level debates with politicians and executives from leading railway companies, as well as the outdoor presentation of newly unveiled rolling stock.

Following the official opening ceremony, discussions quickly turned to the current state of rail transport in the Czech Republic. Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka opened the floor by highlighting several major infrastructure projects, including the ongoing reconstructions of the Česká Třebová junction, Masaryk Railway Station, Prague-Smíchov, and the modernisation of the Prague-Ruzyně – Kladno line.

Debates on Freight, Autonomous Trains, HSR and ETCS

Key topics on the agenda included high-speed rail development (HSR), the deployment of ETCS, and the ongoing challenges in freight rail. "Správa železnic and the government will do everything to enable more flexible use of loading tracks," Czech Minister Kupka stated, adding that future freight opportunities lie in new energy materials, waste transport, and combined intermodal logistics.

AŽD Presents Autonomous Train Developments

Minister Kupka also touched upon the autonomous train project by AŽD, which has been previously covered in detail. AŽD CEO and ACRI Vice-Chairman Zdeněk Chrdle followed, highlighting the growing regulatory burden on operators despite rail being one of the most environmentally friendly transport modes. "I would also like to see battery-powered aircraft someday, as aviation remains the most environmentally damaging mode of transport," Chrdle remarked.

Support for High-Speed Rail and Fleet Modernisation

Jiří Svoboda, CEO of Správa železnic, reiterated his support for accelerating high-speed projects and increasing operational speeds across the network. Meanwhile, Czech Railways (ČD) CEO Michal Krapinec outlined the national carrier’s priorities: "Our mission is to ensure rail becomes the first choice for travellers—and that they choose České dráhy," he stated, noting that ČD expects to add 14 new ComfortJet trainsets by year-end.

BEMU Units and ACRI’s New Railway Encyclopedia

Radek Podstawka, Deputy Governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region for Transport, discussed the decision to acquire BEMU (battery-electric multiple units): "ETCS essentially forced our hand, as older sets would no longer be operable," Podstawka explained, while adding that further electrification would still be preferable, viewing BEMU as a transitional solution.

The event also saw the official launch of the ACRI encyclopedia Two Centuries of Czech Railways. The ceremony was led by ACRI Director General Marie Vopálenská and Board Chairman Tomáš Ignačák. The richly illustrated volume offers a comprehensive, yet accessible look at two centuries of railway history—from horse-drawn railways to modern high-speed trains—featuring period photographs, diagrams, and insights for railway enthusiasts of all ages.