Prague announces traffic and public transit details for New Year’s Eve

 In connection with the expected celebrations of the arrival of 2022, the capital is once again preparing traffic and security measures, which will mainly affect the center of Prague. On New Year's Eve and New Year’s Day, an increased number of police officers, paramedics, and firefighters will be on duty.

About 60,000 tourists could visit Prague on New Year's Eve, which is significantly fewer than before the pandemic, According to the Prague City Tourism (PCT). Many are expected to congregate in the city center, despite the ban on fireworks.

For regular traffic, entry will be restricted in the vicinity of Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square and near Charles Bridge. On the contrary, the metro will be in operation until almost 2 am.

The Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) will extend the operation of the metro on New Year’s Eve to approximately 2:00 am. The operation of tram day lines will end at approximately 10 pm, then the operation of night lines will start. Until approximately 3:30 the interval between trams will be 15 minutes, then, until 7:00 it will be 20 minutes.

The operation of day bus lines will also end around 10 pm, followed by night operation. All the details of the operation of public transport are available on the DPP website.

Parking will be prohibited on Wenceslas Square from Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, from noon until 10 am the following day. The measures will also affect the adjacent streets, namely the entry of all vehicles in both directions into Jindřišská, Vodičkova, Štěpánská, Ve Smečkách and part of Wilsonova Street will be prohibited from Dec. 31, 2021, from 4 pm to 10 am on Jan. 1, 2022. The city appeals to drivers not to drive around Wenceslas Square at night and in the morning so street cleaning can take place in the shortest possible time.

Other traffic measures will concern the surroundings of Charles Bridge. In Malá Strana in Josefská and Mostecká streets, vehicle entry will be prohibited from Dec. 31, 2021, from 9 pm to 2 am the following day. On the other bank in Křižovnická Street and in the part of Smetana's Embankment, traffic will be restricted at the turn of the year from 11:30 pm to 1:30 am.

In the vicinity of Old Town Square, all vehicles will be prohibited from entering Jáchymova and Pařížská Streets in both directions on Dec. 31, 2021, from 8 pm to 3 am on Jan. 1, 2022.

As part of the New Year's celebrations, ambulances of the Medical Rescue Service at both Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square. There will be a special medical tent at Wenceslas Square.

An increased number of police officers will oversee traffic compliance and safety throughout New Year’s Eve. Security boats will provide safety on the Vltava and first aid points will be prepared on both banks of the Vltava.

A decree banning the use of pyrotechnic products for days such as New Year's Eve and New Year's Day has also been in force since last December. The ban applies to most places in the center of Prague and, for example, to floodplains, parks, or the vicinity of hospitals and care facilities. The capital urges residents to avoid the use of rockets and other similar products and to view an interactive map that shows where it is not possible to fire pyrotechnics.