Prague trams chart new course: 6 routes to reshape city network from 2026

The city of Prague will expand its tram network over the coming years with the addition of six new routes designed to carry up to 150,000 passengers daily, city officials announced earlier this month. The changes, part of a long-term mobility plan, will be implemented in phases with the first adjustments scheduled for March 2026.

The expansion follows the opening of the Dvorecký Bridge, which will serve as a key connector for several new routes. While work on the bridge is planned through next fall, it is set to open to trams, cyclists, and pedestrians in the spring.

“The planned routes are becoming a reality. Construction of Dvorecký Bridge is nearing completion, and the tram track on Wenceslas Square has also reached important milestones,” says Jan Šurovský, technical director of the Prague Public Transport Company.

Initial service adjustments will include changes to buses around Pankrác Plain, while the first new tram route will run from Modřany via the Dvorecký Bridge to Dědina. Deputy Mayor for Transport Zdeněk Hřib said the new line links recently completed tracks and represents the first stage of a larger tram loop planned for the city.

Other routes in advanced planning include Olšanská to Habrová near the Žižkov Freight Station, Malovanka to Strahov, and Libuš to Nové Dvory. Construction timelines depend on procurement and finalization of design documentation, with some lines expected to start within one to two years.

The tram expansion aims to improve connectivity between key districts, including Vypich and Motol, Barrandov to Podolí, and Vršovice to central Wenceslas Square. Residents will benefit from direct tram links to major hubs such as the Masaryk Railway Station, Muzeum, and Národní Divadlo, while bus services will complement these new routes.

Future phases will extend service to new developments and currently underserved areas. The Jarov line, Olšanská to Habrová, will provide faster access from Vackov and Třebešín to the city center, while Strahov connections will link the northern city with metro stations and key squares. Direct lines to Malešice are planned for spring 2028, restoring tram service to the district after six decades.

Hřib highlighted that the city’s transport strategy involves both short-term improvements and long-term infrastructure, including a northern tram loop requiring bridges and tunnels over the Vltava, expected to be completed around 2034–2035.

The city is also coordinating with designers and contractors to finalize technical documentation and ensure smooth project delivery.

The tram expansion aligns with Prague’s broader goals to reduce traffic congestion, provide sustainable alternatives to car travel, and connect growing residential and commercial areas. Officials said the new routes will be supported by enhanced bus networks, improving overall travel efficiency.

Updates on schedules and routes should be announced early next year ahead of the launch of the first new line. Residents should anticipate potential changes during the initial months of operation, when temporary adjustments are likely. Mrough Prague Public Transport Company and ROPID.

More information and a full overview of Prague's new tram routes can be found from Prague Integrated Transport.