Prague metro and trams to automatically open doors at all stops as a coronavirus precaution

A sliver of good news for Prague commuters worrying about coronavirus transmission: Prague public transit authority ROPID has announced that all metro and tram doors will automatically open at all stops in the city, saving travelers from touching that potentially-tainted button with a bare finger.

Until now, commuters typically had to push a button to open doors at public transport stops, though the driver also has control of the doors and usually opens them all at busy stops and times.

The new protocol will not impact the vehicle timetables, which leads one to wonder why they haven’t always opened at all stops. Electricity savings?

Unfortunately, the isn’t same for Prague buses, meaning bus commuters will still need to press a button to open a door.

“On all Prague metro and tram lines, vehicles will temporarily open all doors at all stops,” ROPID stated on Facebook.

“In the rail transport network, unlike bus transport, this measure can be applied without any significant impact on the timetables or extension of journey times. For other modes of transport within PID, therefore, nothing changes.”

Of course, the button to open doors isn’t the only thing commuters touch on a crowded tram or metro in Prague.

Prague public transport company DPP had previously announced that they will be disinfecting all trams on a daily basis with ozone as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus.