Martin Kupka, Minister of Transport
Journal Général de l’Europe (JGDE): Can you briefly introduce us to the Ministry of Transport?
Martin Kupka (MK): The Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic is the central authority of the state administration in transport matters. The Ministry of Transport is responsible for transport legislation in the Czech Republic. The Ministry of Transport, through its subordinate organisations, implements the construction of motorways and class I roads. Class II and III roads are owned by regions and municipalities. It also carries out maintenance, repair and construction of railway lines and waterways. The Ministry also has various competences in air transport and its subordinate organisation is the Air Traffic Control. The Ministry of Transport also acts as a contracting authority for public rail transport in the Czech Republic. Interestingly, the Ministry of Transport also covers space activities and space projects, where the Czech Republic has a lot to boast about. Mainly in cooperation with ESA and in cooperation with EUSPA, which is based in Prague.
JGDE: What are your priorities for the Presidency?
MK: The priorities of our Presidency are the interconnectivity of transport networks in Europe and the adjustment of the applicable scope of the TEN-T fast connection system. Both should enable better connections for everyone. For the Czech Republic this will mean an opportunity to build not only high-speed rail lines, but also to further modernise the entire transportation network. Our Presidency is a great opportunity and prestige for the Czech Republic and we want our country to be clear at the end of the Presidency about how transport will change in the coming years not only in the Czech Republic but also in Europe.
One of the key topics of the Czech Presidency will be the reduction of emissions and promotion of environmentally friendly transport, and safe and smart mobility. This can also reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and boost competitiveness, which are other important areas the Czech Presidency will be addressing.
A discussion on the revision of the TEN-T policy as a way to ensure better transport connectivity in the EU will be among our priorities. In this area the Czech Republic wants to focus in particular on the development of high-speed rail lines. Better
connectivity of transportation networks is also important with regard to the renewal of Ukraine’s infrastructure.
JGDE: Could you present the Transport economic area and the perspectives of development? The role of rail, environment and digitalization?
MK: I consider the role of digitisation in transport to be very important. By 2025, I would like drivers to be able to handle most requests and applications online without having to visit the office. Already today, drivers can buy an electronic vignette or drone operators can register a drone online.
As far as the economic situation is concerned, the Czech Republic is facing the challenge of securing money for transport infrastructure. In terms of the European Union, rail transport is considered an environmentally friendly form of transport, and so we are able to obtain EU funding for the construction of high-speed lines thanks to our cooperation with Germany and Austria.
In road transport, we are gradually learning to involve PPP projects in construction. The pilot section of the 32 km of the D4 (from Prague to Šumava close to Germany) motorway completion, which is being implemented by the French consortium Via Salis, is one of the positive examples. We are now preparing other PPP projects to make transport in the Czech Republic as competitive as possible.
In the field of green transport, the Ministry of Transport has a role in the development of legislation and the construction of a network of charging stations. Recently, the pace of construction of charging stations has been accelerating (the number of charging points has more than doubled in the last 2 years). The current ratio of battery electric vehicles per charging station (3:1) is significantly better than the ratio required by the European Union (here 10:1). Compared to other EU countries, the Czech Republic ranks 8th.
Together with the Minister for the Environment, we have softened what I consider to be a directive deadline for banning internal combustion engines. Now, according to our demands, the European Commission must examine in 2026 whether this deadline is realistic and feasible.
JGDE: Could you give us an idea about the important sector, the international collaboration and the most important Czech companies who play a strategic role?
MK: The Czech Republic is one of the most industrialised countries in Europe and has a strong tradition in the construction industry. Among the typically Czech companies in the construction industry with an emphasis on railways is OHL ŽS, which was founded in 1952 and is involved in the construction of transport infrastructure, as well as the repair of buildings and the construction of new housing.
Among the major railway carriers in the Czech Republic is České dráhy, a state-owned enterprise that provides transport services for the state and regions. Another carrier is Regiojet, which is strong in bus transport and in the last 10 years also in rail transport. Regiojet is newly introducing night services to various European cities and regularly operates services from Prague to Croatia in the summer.
In the field of security and electrification of railway transport, a major company is Elektrizace železnic Praha, a. s. . It participates in the construction of catenary elements for railway, tram and trolleybus transport. The company was founded in 1954.
JGDE: What are the major challenges for Transport in the national and international area in the world of today and tomorrow?
MK: The situation caused by the Russian aggression in Ukraine must certainly be stabilised. I believe that energy and fuel prices, which are crucial for all modes of transport, will soon be stabilised.
Transport, especially automotive transport, is facing major changes in connection with technological innovations – electromobility and hydrogen cars. Everything must be sensitively introduced so that cars are still available to people and not only the richest buy them.
Freight transport is still struggling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting delays in the delivery of goods from major ports. I believe that Europe will also cope with this situation and that freight transport will become one of the pillars of the economic development of the European Union.
