The development of transportation during the 20th century and in recent years in the Czech Republic has mostly favoured road transport, while rail transport has been left behind. In summary:
• Road transport has grown 2.5x (by 1997)
• Freight volumes in rail transport have declined by 50%
• Freight volumes steadily declined until 2002;
• A pessimistic estimate of the annual revenues of the Czech national rail freight provider for the three years from 2002 suggested further decline of some 17%
• The ratio of rail/road transport volume is 24.5% (rail) to 71.9% (road)
• As market development brings ever larger percentages of small and lightweight shipments into total freight volumes, the competitive advantage of rail transport has been declining substantially
• Some local rail tracks have been closed
• Large number of traditional manufacturers have either shifted their operations to other markets or closed their railway sidings
• Government support of rail transport has recently been very weak
This background, together with the recent growth of environmental concerns and a desire to offer progressive and innovative services, resulted in the launch of the CARPATHIA EXPRESS project and the formation of the Carpathia Group, an independent train operator owned by three established freight forwarders from the Czech Republic and Germany in cooperation with three national railroad operators.

The productivity of rail transport has been steadily declining in recent years. This fact, together with a desire to develop a new innovative product for existing as well as potential customers, has lead a team of logistics professionals to design a brand new commercial logistics project. It builds on the close cooperation of these three traditionally competing freight forwarders and three national rail transport providers with the ultimate aim of maximizing the resource utilization of all parties involved and at the same time increasing the productivity and competitiveness of rail transport.