The Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) has released a list of the most-frequently lost possessions in 2022, including some particularly strange items featuring animals and instruments.
Praguers most often misplaced bags, wallets, electronics, and personal documents such as ID cards, or passports. Some of the nationalities of the lost passports were Uzbek, Japanese, and Malaysian, DPP said.
More unusual items left behind were a saxophone, a toilet seat, cross-country skis, a hand-held safe, and a microscope. The roundup of strange objects also featured a drill, fishing rod, baking pans, and a keyboard.
Fewer passengers using public transport during the lockdown-filled years of 2020 and 2021 meant that, correspondingly, fewer losses were reported. Last year, however, had more lost items than in 2019 and 50 percent more than in 2016.
Passengers reported 8,500 items missing in 2022 – about 23 per day. This is a year-on-year increase of almost 34 percent.
A new system to declare a missing item on public transport has also helped people: “The increasing number of reported losses…is [partly] down to the introduction of the DPP infoline for lost and found.”
"Unfortunately, there is no shortage of forgotten pets, most often dogs.” - Aneta Řehková, DPP spokesperson
Perhaps the most bizarre finding of 2022 was a pair of iguanas.
If you lose your possession on public transport in Prague, what are the chances you’ll get it back? Sadly, not very high. Less than one-third (28 percent) of items lost in 2022 made their way back to their owners. However, if an item is found by a DPP employee, you have a 50-50 chance of getting the item back.
The capital’s transport company advises members of the public who have found a personal possession to hand it directly to the bus or train driver, a nearby DPP member of staff, or to send it to the company’s headquarters in Prague 9.
Items reported lost soon after they are misplaced have the best chances of being found, often ending up at tram or bus depots at the end of the driver's shift.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE LOST AN ITEM ON PRAGUE PUBLIC TRANSPORT?
The DPP advises passengers who have lost an item to call the dedicated infoline on 296 19 18 17 and provide all information on the item, and exactly where and when it was lost. You can also submit an online form on the DPP website here.
All unclaimed items are directed to the DPP Lost and Found Office, found at Karoliny Světlé 5 in Prague 1.