R9 Fast Trains to Skip Křižanov Station
Fast trains on the R9 line between Prague and Brno will cease stopping at Křižanov station starting December 13, according to the Ministry of Transport. The decision follows a 2022 tender won by operator RegioJet and a determination by the ministry that regional trains now sufficiently handle connections to Velké Meziříčí.
Why is the Křižanov stop being removed?
Ministry of Transport spokesperson Filip Medelský stated that the 2022 tender conditions, agreed upon with the Vysočina Region, did not include stops at Křižanov. Ministry data indicates Křižanov is the least used stop on the entire R9 line.
Medelský explained that fast trains previously served the stop to ensure connections to Velké Meziříčí. However, regional transport has since been adjusted to provide direct trains from Žďár nad Sázavou and transfer links at Křižanov, removing the need for fast train service.
How does this affect local commuters?
Jan Žák, deputy mayor of the village of Ruda, says the removal creates significant difficulties for residents. He noted that the fast train is the simplest connection from the Vysočina region to Prague and Brno.
According to Žák, a fast train to Brno takes 49 minutes, while a regional train takes 66 minutes. He argued that requiring a transfer in Žďár nad Sázavou is more complex and time-consuming, adding that such moves may not help reduce daily traffic jams on the D1 highway toward Brno.
What are the disparities in stop frequency?
Antonín Nedoma, a resident of Vídeň, argues the removal is unjustified based on stop density. In an email to the regional authority, Nedoma calculated that after Křižanov is removed, the distance from Žďár nad Sázavou toward Brno to the next stop in Tišnov will be 56 kilometers.
Nedoma contrasted this with the route from Žďár nad Sázavou toward Kolín, which features seven stops at an average distance of 15.3 kilometers. He concluded that stop density toward Prague is 3.7 times higher than toward Brno, despite similar population densities in both directions.
What technical constraints prevented keeping the stop?
Governor Martin Kukla informed Antonín Nedoma that the Ministry of Transport rejected a request to maintain the stop due to travel time constraints. The ministry cited problems within the Brno hub and a refusal to further extend reserve times between Brno and Havlíčkův Brod.
Further complications include planned modernization work between Havlíčkov Brod and Tišnov. According to Kukla, this will involve “slow travel” between Žďár nad Sázavou and Sázava u Žďáru for nearly all of next year, including single-track operation in that section.
What may happen next?
Ongoing modernization by the Railway Administration could likely lead to further schedule adjustments throughout next year. If local opposition persists, residents may seek new ways to pressure the Ministry of Transport, though the current contract with RegioJet may limit immediate changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do fast trains stop serving Křižanov?
Service ends on December 13, coinciding with the new national timetable.
Who is the operator for the R9 line?
The service is provided by RegioJet based on a 2022 tender.
Why did the Ministry of Transport deny the request to keep the stop?
The ministry stated that stopping at Křižanov would require extending travel times, which is not possible given the problems in the Brno hub and upcoming modernization work.
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