Audit No. 25/05: Funds allocated for the introduction of the European Train Control System (ETCS)
The ETCS represents a significant change for Czech railways. The Plan for the Modernisation of the Czech Railway Signalling System, which was approved by the government, aims to introduce the ETCS system across the entire national railway network (i.e. 9,349 km of track) by the end of 2050.
The Plan sets out the rollout of the ETCS system on approximately 5,000 km by the end of 2033. Alongside the timetable for the deployment of the ETCS system on individual sections of track and the deadline for its exclusive operation, the Plan also provides an estimate of the deployment costs. The total costs set out in the plan amount to CZK 48.8 billion (including costs incurred prior to the publication of the plan).
The aim of introducing the ETCS system was to enhance safety, reliability and capacity, and to accelerate rail operations. These benefits have been verified on sections of track operated under 'exclusive operation', i.e. a mode in which no rolling stock not equipped with the ETCS system is permitted to run on the line in question. At the time the audit was completed, exclusive operation had been introduced on approximately 622 km of track in the Czech Republic (not including the Prague–Kralupy nad Vltavou section). Fitting these lines with ETCS technology cost CZK 1.95 billion.
From the perspective of the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T), interoperability is also a key element of ETCS implementation on the Czech railway network. The Czech railway network is divided into core and comprehensive TEN-T networks. The current priority in terms of interoperability is to equip the main network by the end of 2030. According to the latest railway statement, this involves 1,524 km of unique lines.
The audit examined a sample of projects across 16 line sections, amongst other things.
