Customers will name the new Leo Express trains, every member of Smile Club can take part

PRAGUE, 1. 7. 2019 – The name of the new Leo Express trains, which will arrive to the Czech Republic in the second half of this year, will be chosen by passengers. Every current and new member of the loyalty program Smile Club can participate in the process and then Leo Express will choose the final name of the new trains from their suggestions. The author of the winning name will get a voucher for 10.000 leo crowns which they can use to travel with Leo Express trains, buses or minibuses. Customers can send in their ideas for names until 14 July and the name will be revealed during August.

“The design of the new trains, which comes directly from Leo Express and its Czech suppliers, was created to suit the needs of our passengers. This is also why we want our customers to come up with a creative and upbeatbeat name. We have prepared a modern train with focus on sufficient space for parents with strollers, persons in wheelchairs, luggage and comfortable bycicle transport. We plan to use them also in Poland, where we will begin daily operation to Krakow on 28 June,” says Peter Köhler, Leo Express CEO.

Up to 180.000 current members of the loyalty program Smile Club can take part in naming the new Leo Express trains. They will receive an email with a link, where they can suggest their ideas. New members of Smile Club can participate as well, provided they register before 14 July before the end of the voting. A jury of Leo Express representatives will choose the final name from the suggestions and then it will be revealed during August. The author of the name will receive 10.000 leo crowns from Leo Express, which they can use for travelling by Leo Express trains, buses or minibuses in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland or Ukraine.

The new Leo Express trains produced by CRRC, will arrive in the second half of the year, will include spacious interior or new kitchens with enough space for a wide range of refreshments. At the same time, they will bring a number of technological innovations, which will contribute to the preservation of the environment. The trains will also feature low-floor access.

This project was co-developed with Czech and international suppliers, who supply approximately 20 % of components. Leo Express signed a contract for three electric units and an option for another 30 units. In total, this investment has a value over 5 billion CZK.

Meanwhile, Leo Express finalizes the modifications on 15 modern diesel units Alstom LINT. They will be operated on tracks in the Pardubice and Zlín regions, where they will start in December 2019 under public service obligation. All units feature low-floor, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi connection and electrical sockets, including USB. The company also tenders new trains for regional rail in the Olomouc region and in Prague, the approached manufacturers include companies such as Škoda Transportation, Siemens, Alstom, Pesa, Newag, Stadlar or Bombardier.

Emil Sedlařík  
tiskový mluvčí Leo Express