HAVEL & PARTNERS advised the major transport group Arriva in drafting a purchase agreement for the delivery of 22 new railway units from the Czech manufacturer Škoda Transportation. These units will be used from 2028 to operate two train lines connecting Prague with Plzeň, and subsequently with Klatovy and Cheb.

Legal advice, including preparation of the purchase agreement, was provided by partner Martin Ráž, together with senior associate Tomáš Chmelka and junior associate Nikita Fesyukov. This marks Arriva’s largest investment in Europe to date.

The transaction was also notable in that it was not a ‘standard’ purchase of ready-made vehicles, but of train units that still need to be developed and approved. Moreover, they are expected to be the fastest purely Czech trains on national tracks, reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h. The train units are scheduled to be deployed from 2028 on the Ex6 (Prague – Plzeň – Cheb) and R16 (Prague – Plzeň – Klatovy/Železná Ruda) lines.