Passenger train services • Main line services / Ticketing • Intercity • Private mainline operators • Czech Republic • Leo Express
➤ Similar operators: Acela – Avanti West Coast – LNER – Lumo – ÖBB Railjet – PKP Intercity – RegioJet – WESTbahn
Note: For educational purpose only. This page is meant purely as a documentation tool and has no legal effect. It is not a substitute for the official page of the operating company, manufacturer or official institutions. It cannot be used for staff training, which is the responsibility of approved institutions and companies.
Key points
- Open access operator in Czech Republic ;
- The invaluable assistance of Renfe ;
- Expansions across Slovakia, Poland and Germany ;
On this page
- 2012 – The start of activities;
- 2015 – Expansion to Slovakia and Poland;
- 2021 – Spanish national operator Renfe acquired a 49.9% stake;
- 2026 – New route to Francfort in Germany;
Summary
Founded in 2010 by Czech entrepreneur Leoš Novotný, Leo Express was created to exploit rail market liberalisation and establish a new competitor in Central Europe’s passenger transport sector. Initially funded by Novotný and Aakon Capital, the company made an early commitment to five bespoke Stadler FLIRT trainsets. While these supported its ambitious growth plans, the investment placed significant pressure on the business through bank debt and leasing obligations, with consequences that shaped its development.
Leo Express launched operations in December 2012, before the Fourth Railway Package strengthened European rail regulation and encouraged greater market openness. After joining as CFO that year and later becoming CEO, Peter Köhler led the company’s international expansion, introducing services to Poland and Slovakia in 2015. The company subsequently entered regional rail markets, including Czech and Slovak public-service contracts. In 2021, Spanish national operator Renfe acquired a 49.9% stake, reinforcing Leo Express’s strategy to expand across Central Europe and grow as a major private rail operator.
| COMPANY TYPE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name: | Leo Express | |
| Subsdiary/Branding from: | Leo Express | |
| Country of registration: | Czech Republic | |
| Year founded (under this name): | 2010 | |
| Sector: | Passengers services | |
| Investor(s) / Owner: | 50% Leos Novotny + Aakon Capital – 50% Renfe | |
| Headquartered at: | Prague | |
| Management of infrastructure: | no | |
| Management of stations: | no | |
| ACTIVITIES | ||
| Regional & local traffic: | yes (PSO contracts) | |
| Long distance traffic: | yes | |
| Freight traffic: | no | |
| Traction: | in house | |
| Urban transport: | no | |
| Leasing: | no | |
| Infrastructure works: | no | |
| Rolling stock maintenance: | in house |
Open access routes
➤ Prague hl.n. – Kolín – Poprad-Tatry – Spišská Nová Ves – Prešov
➤ Prague hl.n. – Kolín – Pardubice hl.n. – Olomouc hl.n. – Ostrava hl.n. – Bohumín
➤ Prague hl.n. – Kolín – Pardubice – Olomouc hl.n. – Přerov – Břeclav – Bratislava
➤ Prague hl.n. – Kolín – Pardubice hl.n. – Olomouc hl.n. – Přerov – Ostrava hl.n. – Bohumín – Oświęcim – Kraków Gł. – Warszawa
➤ Frankfurt(Main)Süd – Fulda – Erfurt Hbf – Leipzig Hbf – Dresden-Hbf – Bad Schandau – Děčín hl.n. – Praha hl.n. – Pardubice hl.n. – Olomouc hl.n. – Ostrava hl.n. Kraków Płaszów – Tarnów – Rzeszów Główny – Przemyśl Główny
Routes under PSO
➤ Czech Republic: Dolní Lipka – Ústí nad Orlicí – Letohrad
➤ Czech Republic: Dolní Lipka – Králíky
➤ Slovakia: Bratislava – Dunajská Streda – Komárno
Rolling stock (past and present)
Stadler Flirt
2012 – …
Alstom Coradia Lint 41 (1999)
2018 – …
Talgo
2026 – …
2026 – …
The first five years of Leo Express (2010–2015)
ounded in 2010 by Czech entrepreneur Leoš Novotný Jr., Leo Express was created with the ambition of transforming passenger rail transport in the Czech Republic. In interviews, Novotný explained that he saw an opportunity in a railway market dominated by traditional operators and wanted to introduce a modern, customer-focused alternative. His vision was to combine efficient private-sector management with better services, including digital ticketing, Wi-Fi and a more comfortable travel experience.
The company entered the Czech railway market in November 2012, launching services between Prague and Ostrava, one of the country’s busiest routes. However, the beginning was extremely difficult. Leo Express faced strong competition from established operator Czech Railways and fellow private company RegioJet. A price war quickly developed, putting pressure on all operators and reducing profitability on the route.
In a 2015 interview, Novotný described the first years as “very difficult”, explaining that the company had underestimated the intensity of the competition and the impact of falling ticket prices. The financial burden of purchasing modern trainsets was particularly heavy: the large investment required for rolling stock created significant pressure on the company’s balance sheet and financing structure. Banks even questioned the sustainability of the project during the early months.
Despite these challenges, Leo Express survived its difficult launch period and gradually built a reputation for innovation. By 2015, the company had carried around two million passengers and continued to defend its strategy of offering higher-quality services rather than competing only on price. According Leo Express, the first five years demonstrated both the risks and opportunities of challenging a traditional railway market.
2018: the polish market
Leo Express took an interest in the Polish market at a very early stage. The company has developed its presence alongside RegioJet, another Czech private operator that entered the Polish market with commercial international services. While RegioJet’s experience in Poland was very difficult (and contributed to the withdrawal from the Polish market), Leo Express has followed a more cautious expansion strategy, focusing on connections where it can build a stable customer base.
Toward Poland, Leo Express operates a cross-border commercial open-access services. The company first reached Poland through its international Prague–Kraków connection. The company obtained open-access approval from the Polish railway regulator UTK in 2017 and started regular train operations on Polish tracks in July 2018, becoming the first private Czech railway operator to run passenger trains in Poland.
Initially, the service was limited and affected by infrastructure works, but Leo Express gradually developed the Prague–Ostrava–Kraków route. From 2019, the company planned daily operations between Prague and Kraków, strengthening its position on the Polish market. Kraków therefore became Leo Express’s first significant Polish rail destination, several years before the later expansion towards Warsaw.
Polish railway media and passengers generally view private operators positively because they increase competition, improve choice and put pressure on the dominant PKP Intercity. However, expectations remain pragmatic: travellers judge operators mainly by reliability, punctuality and ticket prices.
2019: An interest in PSOs
The Czech state introduced PSO (Public Service Obligation) contracts for regional rail services after the railway market reforms of the 2000s, transferring responsibilities to regions. The aim was to guarantee essential transport links, ensure stable financing and allow competitive tendering between operators while maintaining public service standards. The Social Democrats created the institutional framework, while centre-right governments encouraged competition. However, it was mainly the Czech regions that practically drove the development of the PSO model from the mid-2000s onwards.
Leo Express became interested in PSO (Public Service Obligation) contracts because its original business model, based only on commercial long-distance routes, exposed the company to high financial risks. The Czech railway market was highly competitive, with strong pressure on ticket prices, while PSO contracts offered more stable and predictable revenues through agreements with public authorities.
The company saw regional and state-supported transport as a way to diversify its activities and improve the utilisation of its trains and operational resources. PSO services also matched Leo Express’s strategy of promoting modern trains, digital services and higher passenger standards in Central Europe.
For Leo Express, entering PSO markets in Czech regions was therefore both a growth opportunity and a financial stabilisation strategy. Winning public contracts could reduce dependence on risky commercial routes and strengthen its position against larger competitors in the Czech railway sector.
Leo Express operates three regional Public Service Obligation (PSO) rail contracts in Central Europe. In the Czech Republic, the company began operating regional services in the Pardubice Region in December 2019 through its subsidiary Leo Express Tenders. The contract covers the lines connecting Letohrad, Dolní Lipka and Králíky, providing local rail services with Alstom Coradia LINT 41 diesel multiple units. These services form part of the regional transport network commissioned by the Pardubice Region.
2021: : Renfe becomes a shareholder
In 2021, Spanish railway operator Renfe Operadora acquired a 50% stake in Leo Express, motivated by its strategy to expand beyond Spain and enter new European markets. The partnership allowed Renfe to gain experience in the liberalised Czech railway sector and strengthen its international presence.
The RENFE purchase did bring one important change in strategy: a recognition that using secondhand rolling stock could ease the path to further expansion of the business. For Leo Express, the arrival of Renfe provided financial support, operational expertise and greater credibility after several difficult years. The company therefore opted for a strategy of leasing second-hand vehicles rather than leasing new ones.
Renfe’s strategy in Central Europe is based on international expansion and diversification beyond its domestic Spanish market. Facing increasing competition in Europe, the Spanish operator aims to develop new sources of growth by entering liberalised railway markets and building partnerships with local companies.
Through investments such as its involvement with Leo Express in the Czech Republic, Renfe seeks to gain regional knowledge, access new passengers and strengthen its position as a European mobility operator. This approach allows Renfe to combine its technological expertise and operational experience with the local presence of established partners.
2023: new PSO in Slovakia
In Slovakia, Leo Express expanded its PSO activities from 10 December 2023 by taking over the Bratislava – Dunajská Streda – Veľký Meder – Komárno regional railway corridor. The operation replaced the previous operators ZSSK and ÖBB and introduced Leo Express services on one of Slovakia’s busiest regional routes. The contract is operated by Leo Express Slovensko and uses modernised Alstom Coradia LINT 41 units.
In Slovakia, the arrival of Leo Express on the Bratislava–Dunajská Streda–Veľký Meder–Komárno PSO has generally been viewed positively by passengers, mainly because of newer trains, improved comfort, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and increased capacity compared with the previous operation. The government of Robert Fico has not opposed the contract; it was prepared under the Ministry of Transport and continued after the change of government. Transport officials highlighted the benefits of stronger regional rail services and higher capacity. The PSO is therefore seen more as a pragmatic transport decision than a political issue, although criticism remains focused on infrastructure limitations rather than on Leo Express itself.
2026: Talgo stock and new route Frankfurt(Main) – Prague – Przemyśl
2026 was a successful year for Leo Express, with the launch of two new types of rolling stock to support its expansion.
After Renfe became the main shareholder of Leo Express in 2021, cooperation with the Spanish railway group opened many possibilities. In the years 2024-2025, negotiations were well advanced to the point where leasing business RENFE Alquiler agreed to provide three Talgo VI loco-hauled trainsets to Leo Express under a 10-year agreement. The lease was formally announced in October 2025.
The Talgo VI sets were prepared for Central European operation, including Czech and Slovak authorisation. Renfe Alquiler also provides technical support: major maintenance and certain components are managed with the support of Renfe Ingeniería y Mantenimiento/Tarvia.
After Renfe became the main shareholder of Leo Express in 2021, cooperation with the Spanish railway group opened many possibilities. In the years 2024-2025, negotiations were well advanced to the point where leasing business RENFE Alquiler agreed to provide three Talgo VI loco-hauled trainsets to Leo Express under a 10-year agreement. The lease was formally announced in October 2025.
The Talgo VI sets were prepared for Central European operation, including Czech and Slovak authorisation. Renfe Alquiler also provides technical support: major maintenance and certain components are managed with the support of Renfe Ingeniería y Mantenimiento/Tarvia.
The first commercial operation began on 30 April 2026 on the routes Prague–Olomouc–Bratislava and Prague–Ostrava–Prešov. The start were challenging: technical issues, limited spare capacity and operational disruptions affected reliability during the first days, creating criticism among some railway enthusiasts and passengers. However, Leo Express presented the Talgo project as a key step towards becoming a larger Central European open-access operator.
LEO Express has introduced a new cross-border rail service connecting Frankfurt, Germany, with Prague, Czech Republic, and Przemyśl, Poland. Leo Express says the route aims to strengthen connections between western and eastern Europe by linking major cities with the Ukrainian border. The first train operated on June 25, with temporary bus links in Poland until rail approval is granted (end of July).
The route is expected to attract passengers travelling to and from Ukraine due to Przemyśl’s proximity to the border. Trains use refurbished DB coaches equipped with air-conditioning and WiFi, initially offering economy seating with possible capacity increases. The service runs overnight between Frankfurt Airport and Bohumín via Prague and Dresden. Infrastructure works in Germany may affect schedules.
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