RegioJet’s Class 655 EMUs in commercial service

On 1 April 2025, RegioJet introduced the new PESA-built EMUs on the PID S61 line. RegioJet won the 15-year contract to operate the S49 line (formerly operated by ARRIVA vlaky) and the new S61 line since 15 December 2024. For this contract, RJ had ordered seven new three-car EMUs of PESA's Type Regio160 (initially Elf.eu).

While DMUs borrowed from ARRIVA were used on the established S49 line, the inauguration of the S61 line was delayed by about three months due to the late delivery of new trains. The Class 655 test service without passengers started on 16 March 2025, and was also used for staff training.

The new Class 655 EMUs for the PID network use AURIGA ETCS L2 on-board units (produced by CAF Signalling), together with the national ATP of Type LS06. Up to 231 seats are provided, together with power outlets and WiFi coverage.

The S61 line is one of the short ones in the PID network: it runs from Praha hl. n. to Úvaly, east and not far from the Prague border, and interleaves longer commuter lines to and from the east of Czech capital. Peak headways on the S61 are 30 minutes, while off-peak headways are one hour.