The latest InterPanter electrical unit from Škoda Vagonka was officially given its name on the test circuit in Velim today. Last year, Czech Railways ordered a total of 14 of these modern trains designed for inter-regional and long-distance transport - ten five-car and four three-car electric units.
“Present-day customers expect fast and comfortable travel from railway companies. Trains must be wheelchair accessible, air-conditioned; passengers want to be able to recharge their laptop or other electronics during the journey, they want to be connected to the internet via WiFi, they expect fast and comprehensive information about the train route and schedule and naturally they also rely on a high level of railway safety. Hundreds of local and long-distance train connections of Czech Railways already offer this level of travelling, and we are now also going to offer this to passengers on another two express train lines, where the new InterPanter units will be used,” said Pavel Krtek, general manager and chairman of the Board of Directors of Czech Railways.
“I am delighted that we have managed to completely develop and manufacture another Czech train. Besides the CityElefant and RegioPanter units, passengers will soon be able to travel in a new modern InterPanter train. This is connected to the long tradition of manufacturing of electric units, which have been used both here in the Czech Republic and in Lithuania, Ukraine, Slovakia, and soon also in Germany,” added Tomáš Ignačák, general manager of Škoda Transportation.
The vehicles are based on the time-tested solution in the form of RegioPanter single-floor units designed for regional transportation. The basic dimensions and colour designs of both types of units are identical, but they differ especially with regard to the technical solution, the number of doors and the interior, which is designed for comfortable travel over long distances.
The units are designed for electrified tracks with a traction voltage of 25 kV, 50 Hz and 3 kV for the maximum speed of 160 km/h. The casing has a lightweight integral construction from large aluminium profiles. Compared to classic ’iron’ closets, this reduces the weight of the vehicle and at the same time prolongs its life. Rapid boarding and the exit of passengers is enabled by large double-wing doors.
Trains have a comfortable, pleasant and fully air-conditioned interior, wheel-chair accessible toilets, sockets with voltage of 230 V, and of course Wi-Fi. The units are equipped with a reservation system for seats, which are padded and adjustable. The units also include separate compartments for passengers with children up to 10 years of age, space for the storage of bicycles, prams and other bulky luggage, and a modern acoustic and audiovisual system. The units are also adapted for wheelchair accessible transport.
The new train got the name InterPanter from a competition organised by Czech Railways together with Škoda Transportation. A total of 5,097 original designs were submitted. Today, the author of the winning proposal received an In Card with the Application IN 100 from Czech Railways for one year at a value of 19,990 CZK. The national railway carrier also rewarded another nine of the most interesting proposals.
(Source: Czech Railways and Škoda Transportation)
