Leo Express


Leo Express, formerly Rapid Express, is an open-access train operator in the Czech Republic, established in 2010. It launched inter-city services in November 2012 on the Prague–Ostrava route, on which Czech Railways and RegioJet were already running trains.
The company claims to run train services between around 30 cities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. The company also runs buses to Poland, Germany, Austria, Southern Bohemia and Ukraine.

Services

A trial passenger service was launched on 13 November 2012, ahead of the full service planned for 9 December 2012. The full service was delayed until 18 January 2013 due to technical problems with the trains. The company runs a regular service between Prague and Bohumín, calling at Pardubice, Olomouc, Hranice, Přerov, Suchdol nad Odrou, Studénka and Ostrava. One service per day runs further to Karviná, Třinec, Český Těšín, Žilina, Poprad - Tatry and Košice in Slovakia.
There are three travelling classes: Economy, Business and Premium. In Premium Class, the seats are foldable to a sleeping position. LEO Express promotes, in line with EU strategy, the door to door concept of public transportation. In March 2015 the company announced a partnership with Uber in major cities.

Trains

LEO Express owns five long distance specially adapted Stadler Flirt IC five-car electric multiple units. The first was handed over to LEO Express on 5 February 2012. The trains have on-board WiFi, and are air-conditioned. LEO Express trains are black with golden details and a white company logo.
On 27 September 2016 LEO Express signed an order for CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive to supply three electric multiple unit trains in mid-2018, with a framework agreement for up to 30 more which would be delivered between 2019 and 2021. The order is intended to support the operator's plans to expand beyond the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Buses

The company operates black LEO Express buses between Bohumín, Katowice and Kraków which run twice a day. They also run a service from Kosice to Krakow passing through Poprad and the Tatras region and Krakow Airport. In June 2015, the operator introduced a new network branded LEO Express Easy, which runs connections between Prague, Tábor, České Budějovice and Český Krumlov as well as between Košice, Michalovce, Uzhorod and Mukacheve. The company's bus timetables are integrated with their train timetables.