RegioJet, the largest private railway operator in Central Europe, announced its economic and transport results for 2023. The company generated total revenues of over CZK 3,4 billion, including train and bus transport. According to preliminary unaudited results, pre-tax profit is expected to reach a record amount of over CZK 500 million.

The total number of passengers using RegioJet's services in 2023 was almost 12 million, an increase of over one million compared to 2022. The company's trains carried almost 8 million passengers on its long-distance and regional routes in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and Poland. The company's yellow buses carried nearly 4 million passengers.

“Our goal is to continually increase quality, safety and comfort for our customers,” said Radim Jančura, owner of RegioJet. “We plan to achieve this through further investment in carriages and locomotives to operate on our existing IC routes, as well as purchasing new electric trains for newly tendered lines under subsidized transport.” He added: “We have made sufficient profit to raise the required equity capital for bank financing, which we will use to purchase new trains. This year we plan to invest CZK 1,5 billion and next year CZK 3-4 billion.”

Investments in train technology and services

RegioJet acquired 13 new TRAXX MS3 multi-system locomotives from Alstom last year. These modern locomotives will be delivered and put into operation this fall. They are equipped with new generation technologies that can reduce energy consumption by 5 to 7%. They are intended to be used in passenger transport on national and international long-distance routes.

RegioJet also plans to invest in modernizing its fleet and renovating carriages. This includes both interior improvements and the installation of additional kitchens to speed up and improve service to customers.

Last year, the company successfully took over and put into operation seven new PESA elf.eu low-floor trains, which are now being used in the Ústí nad Labem region. Another seven trains from the Polish manufacturer will go into operation this year with the new timetable, which means that RegioJet will join the Prague transport network with its local trains. These new electric trains will be used on lines S2024 and S49 from December 61.

Increase in passengers on IC routes and in subsidized transport

Last year, 5,3 million passengers used the IC lines on express trains, an increase of 12% compared to 2022. The average capacity utilization of trains was 85% over the course of the year. The most popular route has traditionally been the Prague-Ostrava-Košice line, which was used by 2,8 million people last year, an increase of 10% compared to 2022. Another successful and fast-growing line was Prague-Vienna-Budapest, used by 724 thousand passengers, an increase of 11% compared to 2022. Due to increased demand, particularly on the Vienna-Budapest section, RegioJet has increased capacity from the original two to four daily connections in both directions since April this year.

RegioJet also operates express train lines under the public service contract R23 and R8, which operate in the Ústí nad Labem region and on the Brno-Ostrava-Bohumín route. The company transported more than 2 million passengers on these lines last year.

Success of the Prague-Przemyśl Ukraine line

In 2023, the Prague-Przemyśl line transported more than 230.000 passengers between the Czech Republic and Ukraine, showing that this line is one of the fastest growing. The number of passengers increased by 2022% compared to 60, with train occupancy reaching 85%. RegioJet has expanded its international operations and launched a new direct connection between Prague and the Ukrainian city of Čop in March this year.

“Although we had to abandon the plan to open the Prague-Berlin route this year due to the unfavorable timetable that would not have been comfortable for our customers, we still plan to launch this line as soon as a better timetable is possible that meets the needs of our customers. RegioJet remains committed to implementing this route next year,” said Jakub Svoboda, managing director of RegioJet’s rail operations.

Successes in public tenders

Last year, RegioJet was successful in awarding new orders. The company won the contract from the Ministry of Transport to operate express trains on the R9 Prague-Havlíčkův Brod-Jihlava/Brno line, which will start operating in December 2026. Another major success was the record order for the operation of electric routes in the Ústí nad Labem region, which is also planned from December 2026. These victories are important steps for RegioJet on the way to becoming a leading provider in Czech rail transport.

Last year, RegioJet brought twenty new Fun&Relax⁺ double-decker buses onto the market, which stand out thanks to their unique 2+1 seating arrangement, with two next to each other and one individually across the aisle. Setting a first class standard in bus transport, this new model offers passengers maximum comfort and has received positive reviews and feedback.