The Czech Republic has embarked on an unprecedented endeavor by securing a substantial loan from the European Investment Bank. This loan, totaling 24 billion crowns, has been earmarked for the comprehensive modernization of the Czech railways, with the ambitious target of achieving these upgrades by 2027. The Ministry of Finance has formalized an agreement with the bank, allocating these funds to a portfolio of forty distinct railway projects.
The significance of this loan extends beyond its sheer size, as it paves the way for the Czech Republic to access additional financial support, including assistance from the European Union. The Railway Administration will oversee the distribution of these funds, channeling them towards various critical aspects of the railway system. These investments will encompass enhancing safety at level crossings, fortifying cybersecurity for the railway company, and facilitating the construction of new stations and railway infrastructure.
This modernization effort is poised to yield multiple benefits, as it promises to augment the maximum speed and capacity on segments of the Trans-European Transport Network. Consequently, it will bolster transportation connections between different regions within the European Union.
Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura, representing the ODS, views this loan as a strategically sound approach, particularly in light of the existing state budget deficit. He states, “Through the favorable terms of the European Investment Bank’s loan, featuring lower interest rates, we can allocate resources to long-term, strategically important investments. This, in turn, allows us to allocate state budget funds to other pressing priorities.”
Kris Peeters, the vice-president of the bank, anticipates that the upgraded rail services will facilitate a shift from road to rail transport, ultimately contributing to a reduction in adverse environmental effects. The movement toward enhancing rail networks is not unique to the Czech Republic; various European countries, such as France and Italy, are exploring ambitious plans to link their high-speed railway systems.
Source: novinky.cz
