RegioJet Celebrates Success on Prague-Košice-Čop Line with High Passenger Numbers and Minimal Delays

RegioJet, the largest private railway operator in Central Europe, has reported remarkable success on its new Prague-Košice-Čop line, transporting over 21,000 passengers in the first quarter of operation.

The night connection from Prague through Ostrava to the Ukrainian town of Čop achieved an impressive occupancy rate of up to 95%. Passengers have lauded the comfortable sleeping cars and border crossings. "This line offers passengers a more comfortable and faster alternative to bus transport at very advantageous prices," said Jakub Svoboda, Executive Director of Rail Transport at RegioJet. "Passengers can enjoy a smooth border crossing between Slovakia and Ukraine without delays in queues and the comfort of sleeping cars, which allow rest throughout the journey. Breakfast and dinner are included in the ticket price."

The Prague-Košice-Čop line has also been noted for its reliability, with 83% of trains arriving in Čop on time or with a maximum delay of thirty minutes. “Thanks to passengers respecting the limits on the amount of goods carried or excluding prohibited items, onboard clearance runs smoothly, and the impact of customs checks on delays is very low,” Svoboda explained.

Čop, located on Ukraine’s western border, serves as a crucial transportation hub for the Zakarpattia region and the entire country as air traffic within the country ceased with the full-scale military invasion of Russia in February 2022. As a transit point, it facilitates rail connections between Ukraine and neighboring countries, including Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Passengers can conveniently transfer to other trains heading deeper into Ukraine.

On board RegioJet trains, passengers can expect high-level services, including comfortable sleeping cars and a variety of complimentary offerings such as breakfast, dinner, Wi-Fi, bottled water, and coffee. "In July, we plan to refresh and expand our onboard catering offer to further improve our customers’ experience," added Svoboda. While onboard catering is limited on the Košice-Čop-Košice section due to customs checks, the overall service remains robust. Ticket prices start at EUR 19.9 (CZK 499) for a seat and EUR 33.9 (CZK 799) for a bed, encompassing a wide range of onboard amenities.

Another route connecting the Czech Republic to Ukraine, the Prague-Przemyśl line, has also been successful, transporting nearly 410,000 passengers since its launch in March 2022. This service has confirmed the growing demand for transportation between Ukraine and the EU, with an annual increase of 60%.

Source: Regiojet, RAILTARGET