Public transport passengers offered a slice of capital's metro history

Two commemorative events this month will allow people to have a piece of Prague metro history. Starting next Monday, passengers of the capital’s public transport network will be able to purchase a special edition of the Lítačka travel card, styled in black and gold and with a new texture, to mark 50 years of the metro system. Six tiles from the old Jiřího z Poděbrad (JzP) metro station, including its former sign, will also go on auction.

The new, limited edition Lítačka card costs CZK 200 and features a unique design inspired by the iconic indented tiles typically seen on stations based on the green A line. "We wanted to honor the cultural and technical heritage of the Prague metro, which is considered one of the most beautiful and efficient in the world," said Prague Deputy Mayor for Transport Zdeněk Hřib.

 "The card pays tribute to the unique wall coverings created by the metro's chief architect, Jaroslav Otruba,” he added.

The cards will be available for purchase at the Lítáčka contact center at the Prague Town Hall in the city center and seven other sales points throughout Prague. 

"With an initial release of 20,000 cards, we will consider increasing the amount if there is high demand,” said a representative of the company behind developing the Lítačka. Previous limited edition Lítačka cards, such as the Maappi charity edition and the commemorative edition for the 100th anniversary of Czechoslovakia, were met with high demand. 

Next year, the city will celebrate two more significant anniversaries related to public transport – 150 years since the start of public transport in the capital and 100 years since the start of regular bus service. 

To honor another aspect of the capital’s metro, Prague 3 is holding an online auction of six station tiles from the JzP metro station before its large-scale reconstruction that was recently completed. The starting price for is CZK 333. 

"We managed to get the paving tiles and the sign with the metro logo free of charge from the City of Prague after the station was renovated," explained Prague 3 mayor Michal Vronský.

The proceeds from the auction will go towards supporting people with physical and combined disabilities. The auction, taking place on the Dobrobot online platform, features pieces created by Otruba. Interested buyers can also bid on a ceiling banner featuring the Prague Metro logo and station name, which previously hung at one of the underground entrances. The auction will run until June 26 at 7 p.m.