Správa železnic increased its income last year, saved also thanks to lower energy consumption
“In addition to the necessary operational savings, Správa železnic continued to invest at a high pace. It spent CZK 39 billion on modernisation last year, and almost CZK 21 billion more on repairs and maintenance of lines. As a result, traffic safety has been improved at a number of locations, while the environment for passengers continues to be visibly improved,” describes Minister of Transport Martin Kupka.
Of the corridor sections, the modernisation from Brno to Blansko, from Ústí nad Orlicí to Brandýs nad Orlicí, from Velim to Poříčany or in Prague between Smíchov and Radotín has been completed. In addition, a new station building was opened to the public at the last-mentioned station.
Správa železnic uses modern financing methods, such as a loan from the European Investment Bank, to raise the necessary funds. The preparation of PPP projects has also progressed. “We are counting on the involvement of private capital for the first time in financing the construction of the railway to the airport. We have already selected a consortium of consulting firms whose experience will help us in our search for a concessionaire for this PPP project,” says Jiří Svoboda, Director General of Správa železnic.
From the point of view of traffic safety, it was important to increase the protection of 124 level crossings last year; Správa železnic spent almost CZK 2.2 billion on them. Sixty more crossings were cancelled. The installation of the single European Train Control System (ETCS), which has already been installed on approximately 1,000 kilometres of lines, is also continuing.
Savings were also found in personnel expenses, thanks to the optimisation of the number of employees by 1.3 percent. At the end of last year, the number of employees was 16,893. Therefore, the continued digitalisation and automation of processes is important.
Year-on-year savings of CZK 130 million were brought about by a reduction in energy consumption. Správa železnic needed seven per cent less electricity and even fourteen per cent less gas.In the income column, there was a positive increase in revenues, which amounted to CZK 102.5 million for non-residential premises, flats, land, and buildings.
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