Not a lot of time has passed since the dramatic price increase of Prague public transport tickets in July 2005 when transfer tickets went up from 12 Kč to 20 Kč and single-use tickets from 8 Kč to 14 Kč. According to Hospodářské noviny, Prague public transit fares are already higher than those in Vienna or Paris when compared to the average salaries in those countries.
The Prague Public Transit Company has now approved yet another fare hike, which should take place next year. The cost of a transfer ticket is supposed to jump from 20 Kč to 30 Kč and a yearly pass should cost 5,200 Kč instead of the current 4,150 Kč. The price increase is supposedly necessary and will help in the construction of new tram and metro lines. That’s a fine reason in itself. I just hope that we’re not headed the wrong way and that those who are now taking public transport are not going to get in their cars and start contributing to the already bad congestion and pollution on the streets of Prague.
Hospodářské noviny article (in Czech):
Pražská MHD zdraží. Aby bylo na metro
We went to Petřín on Sunday and as we were walking down the steps toward the Castle, we passed by a sign informing visitors that the Large Garden Tunnel (one of the underground passages beneath Petřín) was having a special open day. I thought the English translation on the sign was priceless!