Is the Czech VRT a Luxury We Can No Longer Afford?

[Czech]

As global tensions rise and defence budgets swell, the Czech Republic faces a critical decision: can we afford to pour billions into a high-speed rail (VRT) project that can never pay for itself?

The Absolute Priority: Defence of Citizens

The fundamental obligation of any government is the defence and security of its citizens. Ensuring the nation’s safety from external threats, maintaining sovereignty, and safeguarding national interests must take precedence over other considerations. In an era marked by geopolitical instability and rising international tensions, allocating resources responsibly to defence becomes not just wise policy, but a moral imperative.

The US has also begun shifting its stance, further complicating the global landscape. Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK recently accused the US of “destroying” the established world order, reflecting increased international uncertainty. Ambassador Zaluzhnyi pointed specifically to recent US-Russian negotiations and America’s pause in military aid to Ukraine, raising fears that concessions to Moscow may come without firm security guarantees for Ukraine ^[1]https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgq9n48el43o ^[2]https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/06/europe/us-world-order-ukraine-zaluzhnyi-intl/index.html?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc.

“We can say that in the near future NATO likewise could stop existing.”

Valerii Zaluzhnyi

European Union leaders recently expressed clear support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, responding to the tense situation between Ukraine and the administration of US President Donald Trump. The meeting of European leaders underlined Europe’s unity in support of Ukraine, especially after Trump’s decision to suspend military aid and intelligence sharing with Kiev. The only one who rejected this support was Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, known for his pro-Russian positions. This situation illustrates the growing uncertainty in transatlantic relations and the need for Europe to increase its own defence capabilities ^[3]https://www.ft.com/content/42682d64-68a3-46c6-a543-6425be2142fd ^[4]https://www.politico.eu/article/european-council-summit-donald-trump-war-in-ukraine-peace-talks/. The EU is undergoing a transformation—from a project originally conceived to secure peace from the ruins of World War II, into a defensive alliance preparing itself to prevent a third. The days of enjoying a ‘peace dividend’ from the end of the Cold War, which can be spent on vanity projects are over ^[5]https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/07/europe/europe-security-urkraine-defense-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html.

The High-Speed Rail Mirage: A Global History of Debt and Disappointment

Proponents of HSR paint a rosy picture of seamless international travel and boosted economic growth. However, global HSR projects reveal a sobering truth: they are notorious for running over budget, failing to attract sufficient ridership, and saddling countries with massive debts. France’s SNCF high-speed lines accumulated over €45 billion in debt requiring repeated bailouts ^[6]https://vrt.wtf/en/2023/08/18/hsr-and-the-czech-republic/, Spain has invested €56 billion through questionable financial practices ^[7]https://vrt.wtf/en/2023/08/18/hsr-and-the-czech-republic/, and the UK’s HS2 has become infamous for soaring costs and marginal benefits ^[8]https://vrt.wtf/en/2023/08/18/hsr-and-the-czech-republic/. Spain and China’s projects, often used as benchmarks by proponents, have consistently failed to meet their optimistic forecasts ^[9]https://vrt.wtf/en/2023/08/18/hsr-and-the-czech-republic/.

Closer scrutiny of the Czech Republic’s own VRT project reveals troubling signs. The passenger forecasts from Správa Železnic are contrived, leaning on unrealistic data from China and Spain to justify inflated ridership predictions ^[10]https://vrt.wtf/en/2023/08/18/hsr-and-the-czech-republic/. Furthermore, the limited percentage of cross-border travelers on European HSR lines casts doubt on claims that the Czech VRT would significantly serve international travel ^[11]https://vrt.wtf/en/2023/08/18/hsr-and-the-czech-republic/.

The opportunity cost is severe. Every billion invested in the VRT is a billion not invested in essential areas such as defence, healthcare, or education ^[12]https://vrt.wtf/en/2023/08/18/hsr-and-the-czech-republic/. With the government already pledging increased defence spending amidst global threats, prioritising a luxury infrastructure project seems increasingly indefensible ^[13]https://vrt.wtf/en/2023/08/18/hsr-and-the-czech-republic/.

Czech politicians privately express significant doubts about the VRT project’s viability but remain silent publicly due to concerns about political repercussions or losing office ^[14]https://vrt.wtf/en/2023/08/18/hsr-and-the-czech-republic/.

It’s time for a rigorous, properly independent assessment of the VRT project. We need realistic projections, transparent cost analyses, and honest appraisals of opportunity costs. Before committing billions, let’s ensure our choices today do not compromise our security and economic stability tomorrow.