ČD Cargo respects all deadlines based on the National ERTMS Implementation Plan and the Plan of Modern Security for the Czech railway, perceives the implementation of the ETCS train control system primarily as a tool to significantly increase the safety of an already very safe mode of transport and approaches it with the maximum degree of social responsibility.

On Tuesday, 28^th May 2024, at a press conference in Praha-Libeň, we presented the completion of the project to equip 128 ČD Cargo locomotives of the 163, 363 and 742.71 series with the European Train Control System (ETCS Level 2, Baseline 3), which was supported by the 2015 CEF Transport Cohesion Call.

"The project was technically closed (all conditions of the grant fulfilled in accordance with Amendment No. 3 to the Grant Agreement) on 31^st December 2023. The total maximum CEF contribution to equip 128 locomotives with the mobile part of the ETCS system amounts to € 27.3 million, which corresponds to more than 60% of the total investment costs of the project," Chairman of the Board of Directors of ČD Cargo, Mr. Tomáš Tóth, introduced at the press conference and further added: "Currently, we intensively continue training of ČD Cargo drivers to driving trains under the supervision of ETCS, participating in stress tests under the supervision of this device and we are setting up the processes necessary for the smooth and reliable operation of these locomotives. I would like to assure our customers that we will be ready for the start of the exclusive operation of ETCS-controlled trains from January 2025."