Railway Administration to Spin Off Security Service Under New Chief in September

Starting in September, the Czech Railway Administration (Správa železnic) will separate its security service into a standalone division. The new security department will be headed by Radim Vita, who has been appointed the organisation's director of security.

The security service, responsible for protecting a number of railway facilities, was set up in 2022. According to the organisation's press office, there are currently no plans to create a separate top management post specifically for the head of the security service — the matter was discussed by the board of directors of the state-owned company.

What happened to the previous frontrunner

The position had previously been linked to the name of Drmola, who, according to available information, maintains ties with Radim Fiala, an influential pro-Babiš politician from the SPD party. However, a company spokesperson confirmed that Drmola will not head the new division or take up a management role — although he remains with the Railway Administration. Drmola joined the organisation earlier this year.

Press spokeswoman Fríbová explained that the decision not to create a separate post for head of the security service is in line with the organisation's push to streamline management and cut the number of leadership positions. "If, as the division develops, it turns out that its size requires separate leadership, we will adjust the organisational structure accordingly," she added. According to the spokeswoman, Vita's task is "to build up the new division from scratch and gradually develop it."

The new security chief's career

Radim Vita spent most of his professional career in the police force. He served as deputy head of the regional police headquarters in the Moravian-Silesian Region, worked in the organised crime unit, and served as an analyst at the Prague High Public Prosecutor's Office. His most recent position was director of security at the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office.

Employees of the Railway Administration's security service are responsible for, among other things, guarding Prague's Bubny railway station, the grounds of the central dispatching centre, and monitoring infrastructure across the wider Prague centre — including the Negrelli Viaduct, tunnels and railway stations.

The scale of the organisation

The Railway Administration is responsible for maintaining tracks and station buildings, drawing up train timetables, ensuring equal access to rail infrastructure for carriers, and acting as investor in the construction of new lines. This year the organisation's budget stands at 72.2 billion crowns — 9.5 billion crowns more than last year. The Railway Administration employs almost 17,000 people.

Source: prazsky.denik.cz