Journey through time: Prague launches new historical bus line

Prague's popular nostalgic tram lines 41 and 42 have a new sister as of this weekend. The Czech capital has just launched its first-ever historic bus line, which takes passengers on a route through Prague 6 that partially mimics the very first trolleybus line in the Czech capital.

The new historic bus line K has officially launched this morning, April 22, 2023. It will run on weekends and public holidays throughout the summer season from 10:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. at roughly 40-minute intervals.

The new line partially runs through the same route as Prague's first trolleybus line, which was preceded by a bus line, both of which were also designated K. It begins and ends at the Strahov Stadium bus interchange, and brings passengers around historic areas of Prague 6.

One-time fare for the historic bus ride runs CZK 100, but the line can also be ridden as part of the 24-hour pass for the 41 and 42 trams, which costs CZK 300.

The buses on the historic K line aren't quite as old as the ones on Prague's nostalgic tram lines, which date back to the 1950s, but will be familiar to long-time residents of the Czech capital. The line is made up of six buses that date from the early-to-mid 2000s, including two Karos B951 models, two Karos B961s, an Irisbus Citybus 12M, and an Irisbus Citelis 12M.

"Prague doesn't only offers its visitors famous sights such as Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and other landmarks in the UNESCO-listed Historic Center of Prague, but also a lot of technical attractions thanks to one of the best public transport systems in the world with a rich history," says Prague Deputy Mayor for Transport Zdeněk Hřib in a press release.

"Proof is our Public Transport Museum, which has already reached pre-Covid levels in terms of attendance. This weekend, the museum will welcome this year's ten thousandth visitor."

"As part of the historic tram line 42, we have transported more than four thousand customers this year and it looks to be a record year. Therefore, a new historical bus line was offered as a logical addition to the transport tourist attractions in Prague. This will contribute to the creation of a network of historic city lines in Prague."

More information about the historic bus line can be found at the website of Prague's public transport authority DPP. Tickets can be purchased online from the DPP e-shop.