Czech public transport operator Leo Express plans to introduce a train service connecting Belgium to Slovakia’s capital Bratislava in the coming months. The privately owned company has been offering rail and bus passenger services in Central Europe since 2012. Leo Express has expanded its operations to include regional trains in Pardubice since December 2019, and is set to take over regional rail transport on the Bratislava-Komárno line in December 2023. The company has had Spanish state railway operator Renfe as a main shareholder for two years, aiming for an 80% growth in Central Europe of Leo Express activities.
Leo Express has submitted plans to Belgium’s Regulatory Body for Railway Transport, outlining a daily connection in both directions set to commence in late 2024 or early 2025. The proposed journey, featuring nearly 50 stops across Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, is expected to span 19 hours. The service would begin in Ostend and include stops in Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, Leuven, and Liège.
Train travel in former Soviet satellite states faces several challenges, making it less convenient than in Western Europe. Legacy infrastructure, economic factors, and geopolitical considerations contribute to these difficulties.
The historical development of rail networks during the Soviet era has left a legacy of outdated and less efficient infrastructure. While Western Europe invested in high-speed rail and modernization, many post-Soviet countries struggled to upgrade their railways, resulting in slower, less comfortable journeys. Economic challenges in some former Soviet satellite states have hindered investments in railway modernization.
There has also been a lack of standardization in rail systems with different signaling systems and safety standards making cross-border operations more complex and time-consuming.
The lack of seamless connectivity between different modes of transportation, such as trains and buses, can make it more challenging for passengers to plan and execute efficient journeys. While train travel in Western Europe is often marketed as a comfortable, efficient, and environmentally friendly option. In many countries further east, there may be a perception issue where train travel is seen as outdated or less desirable compared to other modes of transportation.
However, with high-speed railway networks becoming part of the plans for the future in the region, it can be expected that cross-border railway links will grow in popularity. Leo Express seems to be paving the way for even more ambitious expansion in the future.
