Renfe leases ex-DB coaches to Leo Express for Prague–Munich
CZECH REPUBLIC: Renfe Alquiler has signed a 15-year agreement to lease ex-Deutsche Bahn coaches to Czech operator Leo Express for the Prague–Munich corridor service launching in December 2026.
Renfe holds a 50% stake in Leo Express and acquired the coaches from Deutsche Bahn ahead of the agreement. The vehicles are RIC-compliant and approved for operation across Europe at up to 200 km/h.
The coaches will be deployed on the Ex36 contract, under which Leo Express will operate the Czech portion of the Prague–Munich corridor with eight daily services from 13 December 2026. The service continues to Munich in coordination with a German operator under a separate Bavarian contract.
Renfe Alquiler takes on DB coaches for Central Europe operations
Renfe Alquiler de Material Ferroviario (RAMF) is the rolling stock leasing subsidiary of the Spanish state railway. The coaches, offering first and second class seating with up to 80 seats per vehicle, are equipped with air conditioning, wi-fi and a coach adapted for passengers with reduced mobility.
The coaches are certified under the RIC standard, which facilitates the cross-border use of rolling stock between signatory railways — relevant for a service crossing the Czech-German border.
Two leasing agreements expand Leo Express capacity
The DB coach lease runs alongside a separate 10-year agreement under which Renfe Alquiler is providing three sets of Talgo VI coaches to Leo Express for a new Prague–Bratislava service, due to launch in April 2026. According to Renfe, the two agreements together will increase Leo Express’s commercial capacity sixfold.
Renfe acquired its 50% stake in Leo Express in 2021. The two leasing agreements give the Spanish state railway’s subsidiary a fleet presence across both PSO and open-access markets in Central Europe.