📋 Tender Overview
How do they perceive the conditions for the performance of their profession? This was determined by the Ministry of Transport together with the Rail Authority in the survey between the drivers in the Czech Republic. The results show a positive shift compared to a similar survey of 2022. The driver appreciated a significant improvement in the area of rest and work facilities and positively perceive the quality of the vehicle park or ETCS. More than 85 % of them also consider their work responsible and meaningful. It is also necessary to work on simplification of regulations or unifying ETCS controls on various types of vehicles.
View gallery (1) I am glad that specific activities are already running such as simplification and transparent regulations modernization of infrastructure and improvement of working conditions. Thanks to the impulses of the drivers a number of positively evaluated measures have been taken in previous years. Kupka. 2987 respondents were involved in the questionnaire which is 488 more than in 2022. The absolute majority of them have been working as a driver for over 10 years and 85 % of respondents consider their profession perspective.
In 2022 the driver complained about the complexity and frequent changes in operating regulations. Therefore the Ministry of Transport in cooperation with the Railway Administration proceeded to simplify and clarify and the transparent procedure of changes and regular discussions was also set up. These activities should continue and now together with the Rail Authority they will also focus more on the operating regulations of the carriers.
Positively drivers perceive the renovation of the vehicle park. However according to their experience the number of defects remains similar which can also be caused by childhood diseases for new vehicles. The Rail Authority has already tightened the supervision of compliance with the maintenance procedures for carriers and requires trial operations including their quarterly evaluation before approval of a new type.
We appreciate the impulses from the drivers and thank you for openness. Their experience and practical knowledge of everyday operation significantly contribute to increasing the safety efficiency and comfort of passengers on the railway says Jiri Kolar director of the Rail Authority.
Modernization of infrastructure must continue the introduction of ETCS can help
In the last poll the driver pointed to frequent infrastructure defects. Railway administration continues to modernize it it gradually replaces fault elements for more modern and reliable also in connection with the introduction of ETCS.
Communication and transmitting information about planned restrictions is constantly improving and expanding the dissemination of information in a clear electronic form. During the supervisory activity the Rail Authority will focus on places that the driver described as critical for example because of poor visibility of the signals.
The survey also confirmed a significant improvement in the conditions for rest most of the respondents evaluate the adjustments that were made on the basis of their earlier comments. Over 80 % of the respondents recorded an improvement in the background which was evaluated negatively three years ago.
The perception of resting length has also improved. Collective bargaining should now focus on optimizing shift planning at carriers.
Following the demand of the drivers the railway office will appeal to the carriers to focus more thoroughly on the area of further improving practical training on vehicles and wider use of simulators for training crisis situations.
ETCS is a step in the right direction
The introduction of the European ETCS train security is one of the key security projects on the Czech railway and is also affected by the work of the drivers. Its introduction perceives positively or neutrally over 80 % of those who already have experience with ETCS although they draw attention to the need to unify control on different types of vehicles. After the introductory acquaintance the new technique themselves acknowledge that ETCS significantly increases safety and reduces the risk of human error.
