Leo Express launches Prague‑Munich service as passengers face rolling‑stock glitches

Leo Express announced that from 13 December 2026 it will operate eight daily long‑distance trains each two‑hourly on the 439 km Prague‑Plzeň‑Furth‑im Wald‑Munich corridor, having won the Czech Ministry of Transport tender with a bid of 547 million CZK. The service will use modernised Intercity units supplied through a partnership with Renfe, capable of 200 km/h, equipped with air‑conditioning, Wi‑Fi and audiovisual systems, and will be hauled by multi‑system locomotives. The ministry confirmed the required maximum speeds of 160, 140 and 100 km/h for different traction modes and set the subsidy at about 109 CZK per train‑kilometre.

Separately, passengers on Leo Express routes reported recurring operational problems with older Talgo and Flirt units, leading to last‑minute train cancellations, five‑minute delays and crowded stations. One traveller described a situation where a scheduled Flirt unit was unavailable minutes before departure, forcing a switch to a single unit and resulting in a short‑term compensation of 150 credits. The incidents highlight challenges in deploying older rolling stock while the new international service prepares for launch.