Single-ride fares for Prague transit increase from August: here's what you need to know

Prices for some tickets on the Prague Integrated Transit (PID) system will increase on Aug. 1, but the annual pass will remain the same. With the price of single-trip tickets going up, the annual pass represents relatively bigger savings.

The PID system covers trams, buses, the metro, ferries, cable cars, and some commuter trains not only in Prague but in part of Central Bohemia. It is currently running an information campaign to encourage passengers to “Buy a Coupon” which costs CZK 3,650 for the whole year.

Over 50 methods will inform people of the changes, from classic brochures and leaflets to notice boards in vehicles and at stops, in metro stations, and at train stations, as well as stickers on ticket machines. Half a million information folders and brochures for passengers will be printed and distributed. New paper one-off tickets will be printed to reflect the new prices.

Approximately 600 ticket machines, 1,700 on-board computers in buses, 800 sales terminals in trams, and terminals in all ticket offices will be reprogrammed. A new version of the PID Lítačka mobile application is also being prepared.

“I believe that thanks to the cooperation between Prague and the Central Bohemian Region and their carriers, there should be no one who does not know about the change in fare prices. Our goal is for as many people as possible to purchase advantageous annual coupons, with which they can travel indefinitely throughout Prague for only 10 crowns a day,” Scheinherr added.

The campaign points out that after the changes a ticket for 90 minutes will be CZK 40 and for 30 minutes will be CZK 30, while annual the coupon is CZK 10 for the whole day. All information about the tariff changes is now available online.

Some changes are a bit hidden in the "fine" print. While the basic fine for not having a valid ticket remains at CZK 1,500, the discount for paying on the spot or withing 15 calendar days will drop, so that you now pay CZK 1,000 instead of CZK 800. You can also reduce the fine by buying an annual pass, but must do so within five days and then the fine is reduced to CZK 800.

Prices for transporting luggage and dogs are also changing.

Central Bohemian Integrated Transit (IDSK) director Zdeněk Šponar said the pandemic was to blame for the price hike. "The change in the tariff is an unpopular but necessary measure given the shortfalls in the Central Bohemia region's finances during the pandemic,” Šponar said.

Regional Organizer of Prague Integrated Transist (ROPID) director Petr Tomčík said Prague and the Central Bohemian region will also use PID social networks on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to communicate the news to people.

“There are, of course, telephone infolines and information centers, including all points of sale. Motifs of the campaign encouraging the purchase of long-term coupons and informing about new fares will be visible not only on social networks but also on urban areas in the streets of Prague or at stops and in PID vehicles,” Tomčík said.

The new fare prices will apply from Aug. 1, 2021. Until then, it is possible to use tickets at current prices. Unused paper tickets can be returned after Aug/ 1 at the Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) headquarters at Na Bojišti Street in Prague 2 until six months after their expiration. With the PID Lítačka mobile application, it will be possible to request a refund for tickets already purchased at the original prices.

Main changes to the PID Tariff from Aug. 1, 2021

Source: PID