Train stations in Pardubice and Hradec Králové will take on a new form

PARDUBICE - The train stations in Pardubice and Hradec Králové will soon receive a new appearance. Czech Railways, in cooperation with private companies, want to offer passengers new services and improve the culture of travel. Interested parties are to prepare solutions regarding, for example, barrier-free access or services in foreign languages, said Pavel Krejčí, director of the property business department of the railways, at a press conference today.
The railways today announced tenders for these projects and expect bids by December 15. "We do not set the amount of the investment intention; it depends on the developer how broadly they define their intention," Krejčí stated in response to a question from ČTK.
With the winner of the tenders, Czech Railways will establish a joint venture to utilize the facilities. A majority share for the private company is planned. However, the company will be limited in its activities in certain respects. "We want to unify vending machines, newspaper sales, and self-service centers," noted the director.
Czech Railways will also oversee the implementation of plans from project to construction. "Oversight must be very effective so that we do not end up with temporary stalls or Vietnamese markets at the stations," Krejčí is concerned.
More than 60 railway stations in the country will be modernized in this way. For example, the renovation of the Main Station in Prague, in Karlovy Vary, and in Mariánské Lázně will be managed by the Italian company GrandiStazioni.
According to Czech Railways, Pardubice will be one of the stops for SuperCity Pendolino trains between Prague and Ostrava starting December 11. Travelers will reach Prague in less than an hour and will pay 300 crowns for the ticket. The current non-discounted ticket costs 130 crowns.