Residents of Central Bohemia and Prague are bracing for a significant increase in public transport fares, with ticket prices expected to rise by up to 30%. A trip from Benešov to Prague, which currently costs around 100 CZK, could jump to 130 CZK next year. Local authorities are negotiating these changes, citing rising costs of maintaining public transport services.
For regular commuters using electronic tickets, the increase will be slightly more modest, around 20%. However, passengers who rely on paper tickets bought directly from drivers or at station counters will face the steepest hikes. This disparity is designed to encourage the use of digital options, which not only streamline ticketing processes but also help cut operational costs.
The final decision on new pricing is expected this summer. Meanwhile, the region’s transport organizers—Pražská integrovaná doprava and Integrovaná doprava Středočeského kraje—are also reviewing potential adjustments to tariff zones. These proposals will eventually be presented to the Central Bohemian regional council for approval.
According to Petr Borecký, the regional councilor for transport, these measures are crucial to addressing the growing financial burden of running public services. “We aim to motivate passengers to adopt digital solutions,” Borecký stated, emphasizing that electronic tickets and passes offer both efficiency and cost savings.
With a budget exceeding 50 billion CZK, Central Bohemia is allocating over five billion CZK—10% of its total budget—to public transport this year. Still, fare revenue covers only about a third of the system’s expenses. The acquisition of new trains, including RegioFox and RegioPanter units, is another major expense, contributing to an 800-million-CZK rise in operating costs compared to last year.
Both the Central Bohemian region and Prague have launched a massive tender for rail transport services over the next 30 years, with costs projected at 142 billion CZK. This long-term investment underscores the necessity of fare increases to sustain the system. “Maintaining transport services without raising fares is simply unrealistic,” Borecký reiterated.
For over 1,100 municipalities and 15,000 daily connections, the integrated ticketing system continues to link Central Bohemia with Prague, ensuring seamless travel across various modes of transport. However, separate tickets are still required for metro and tram services within the capital, adding another layer of complexity to an already strained system.