Metro v Praze(anglicky)
27. 10. 2006
System Prague (Czech Praha), the capital of the Czech Republic, has 1.2 million inhabitants and is situated on both sides of the Moldau (Vltava) river. The relatively new metro system follows the common Eastern European model with three basic lines forming a triangle in the city centre and tunnels very deep below street level. The first section of line C (north-south, 18.1 km) was opened between SokolovskἯi> (now Florenc) and Kacerov in 1974. This line continued to Háje in the south in 1980 and crossed the Vltava river to Holešovice in 1984. Most stations have a central platform, but not Hlavní nádrazi (Central Rail Station) and Vyšehrad (situated inside the motorway bridge crossing the Nusle valley). Construction of a 3.9 km line C extension from Nadrazí Holesovice to Ládví began in Sept. 2000 and was completed in June 2004. The line crosses under the Vltava river and there is one intermediate station at Kobylisy. The western branch of line A (east-west, 10.9 km) (Nám. Míru-Dejvická) opened in 1978 and until 1990 it reached its final station Skalka. Hradcanská and Staromestská were restored in 1997/98. In May 2006, line A was extended by one station (1 km) from Skalka to Depo Hostivar, taking advantage of the tracks leading to the Hostivar depot in that location. The new terminus is served by every other train. The newest is line B (25.8 km). The city section between Florenc and Smíchovské nádrazí opened in 1985, a first extension to the south-western suburbs in Nové Butovice opened in 1988. The line grew to the north-east (Ceskomoravská) in 1990, and finally in 1994 to the south-western terminus at Zlicín. This section is not very deep and some station use daylight. Between Hurka and Luziny there is an artificial science-fiction-like bridge tunnel (see picture below). The easternmost section to Cerny Most opened with 3 stations on 9 Nov 1998 (Vysocanská, Rajská zahrada, Cerný Most). On 15 Oct. 1999 an intermediate station was opened to the public, Hloubetín. One more station, Kolbenova (planned as CKD) was built between Vysocanská and Hloubetín, it finally opened on 8 June 2001. Photos © R. Schwandl (UrbanRail.Net) (More photos) The Prague Metro system is 54.8 km long with 54 stations and operates from 5:00 to 24:00 with trains every 4-10 minutes (2.5 min. peak hours). Due to heavy flooding in mid-August 2002, the Prague Metro was closed for several months along the central section (deep stations). Service was maintained on all outer branches. Trains On Line B you can see the same trains running as in Budapest, Moscow and all other ex-Soviet metro cities (5-car trains of 81-71 series). Prague can be proud of having the best acoustic station announcement in Europe. New trains (M1 series) operate on Line C, whereas modernised trains (81-71M) are in service on Line A. In Oct. 2001, the former local rolling stock manufacturer CKD was taken over by Siemens and under the new name SKV it will produce the remaining units. Stations Most stations on Line A and Line B are very deep and of the three tunnel type with long escalators leading to a central distribution tunnel. Line C doesn't run very deep though. Network maps can be bought in one of 6 transport offices. Stations are clean and well ventilated. Transport Museum The Prague Transport Museum (Patockova 4, April-Oct. Saturday, Sunday and holiday 9-17h) exhibits mainly old trams and buses, but now it also offers a good survey of the history of the Prague Metro. History 09 May 1974: C Florenc - Kacerov 12 Aug 1978: A Nám. Míru - Dejvická 07 Nov 1980: C Kacerov - Háje 19 Dec 1980: A Nám. Míru - Zelivského 03 Nov 1984: C Florenc - Nadrazí Holešovice 02 Nov 1985: B Florenc - Smíchovské nádrazí 11 July 1987: A Zelivského - Strašnická 26 Oct 1988: B Smíchovské nádrazí - Nové Butovice 04 July 1990: A Strašnická - Skalka 22 Nov 1990: B Florenc - Ceskomoravská 11 Nov 1994: B Nové Butovice - Zlicín 08 Nov 1998: B Ceskomoravská - Cerný Most 15 Oct. 1999: B Hloubetín added 08 June 2001: B Kolbenova added 26 June 2004: C Nadrazí Holesovice - Ládví 27 May 2006: A Skalka - Depo Hostivar (1 km) Projects Construction of another 4.6 km line C extension from Ládví to Letnany began in spring 2004 for completion in 2008. There will be two intermediate stations, Strov and Prosek. Letnany is the future location of the Prague Fairgrounds. Other mid to long term projects include 2 new lines and extensions of the existing line A: Line D - Vysocanská - Hl. Nadrazí - Nám. Míru - Pankrác - south Line E - semicircular (Pankrác - Andel - Hradcanská - Vltavska - Palmovka - Line D) Line A - extensions on both sides and a branch south from Strašnická Practical Info - OPERATION Trains run from 05:00 to 00:20 every 4-10 minutes (2.5 min. peak hours; Line C ca. 90 sec. in morning peak hours). On weekdays from 06:00 until 19:00 only every second train continues from Skalka to Depo Hostivar on Line A. - FARES (2006) The fare zone system covers the whole region (including CD commuter trains) where Prague City is zone P and 0. All tickets are valid on buses, trams, metro and commuter trains (except single tickets). For the Prague city area prices are as follows (in Czech crowns): Single Ticket 20 CZK, (14 CZK without transfer) 24-Hour-Ticket 80 CZK 3-Day-Ticket (72 hours) 220 CZK 7-Day-Ticket (168 hours) 280 CZK 15-Day-Ticket (360 hours) 320 CZK Monthly Pass 460 CZK (Travelcard with photo-ID)