SŽDC, the Czech national railway operator, wants to modernize a number of newly acquired stations as soon as Czech Railways (ČD) approves the takeover of the properties. The transaction could be completed by the end of March, according to Tomáš Drmola, SŽDC’s general director. SŽDC will add 1,574 buildings to its management portfolio, 1,051 of which are railway stations. The portfolio includes Prague’s main railway station and the Smíchov railway station. The Masarykovo and Brno railway stations are not part of the deal. SŽDC is planning to renovate 61 stations in the first phase and hopes to use EU funds to cover some of the costs. It also plans to offer redundant office space at the stations to the state.
