Prague Public Transit Company announces service reductions and new safety measures

Following the declaration of a state of emergency, and the government’s decision to ban the free movement of people, the Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) is taking more steps. Many bus lines will stop earlier than normal, the airport express between the Main Train Station and Václav Havel Airport Prague is suspended. People must wear mount and nose covering to use public transit.

Prague public transport buses will automatically stop at all stops, including “na znamení” stops that used to require passengers to push a button.

Another new measure is automatic shutdown of closed indoor air circulation systems in public transport.

DPP will also stop service on 38 bus lines at 10:30 pm, after consultation with City Hall and ROPID, due to an almost 80% drop in passenger numbers in the evening. These measures are designed to help protect both passengers and drivers and reduce the spread of novel coronavirus. The measures are valid until further notice.

Based on the order of the Prague mayor, as of March 17, passengers are obliged to use respiratory protection, meaning covering their nose and mouth for the entire duration of their movement in the transport space of the Prague public transport. This applies from their boarding of buses or trams to the exit, from entering the vestibules of the metro and the transport area to their leaving.

As a protection, respirators, masks or home-made masks, scarves, scarves, or any other fabric may be used to help prevent droplets from spreading while breathing or speaking and to protect other passengers and drivers.

In the event of noncompliance with this rule, drivers have the right to exclude a passenger without nose and mouth protection from transport.

Another measure is the automatic stopping of Prague public transport buses at all “na znamení”stops. In practice, this means that passengers do not have to press the “stop” button, drivers will automatically stop at every stopl. The driver then opens the door if there is a passenger at the stop or a movement is detected on board, for example toward the door or seated passengers start to rise.

This measure further minimizes the direct contact of passengers with the interior of the vehicle. We also advise passengers to sit down while driving and, if they stand, to rest on their handrails or bars with their forearms or body, instead of holding on with hands.

Based on expert recommendations, DPP turned off all public transport systems that use internal air circulation, such as air conditioning or air recirculation ventilation, in all vehicles. Opening the central and rear doors will enhance the exchange of indoor air for fresh ait.

Emergency government measures, emergency declarations and the quarantine have made a significant impact on public transport demand. After 10 pm, the slump is between 76% and 79%, with buses in the traveling city having few passengers and on the periphery even completely empty.

Therefore, DPP decided to temporarily terminate the operation of 38 bus lines as early as 10:30 pm.

Traffic on lines 101, 108, 110, 115, 116, 117, 121, 124, 130, 138, 143, 147, 149, 151, 153, 155, 158, 160, 164, 165, 168, 169, 170 , 172, 175, 185, 199, 202, 203, 204, 208, 209, 224, 228, 236, 240, 246, and 247 will be closed at 10:30 pm from March 17 until further notice. The timetable for lines no. 101 and 108 will be modified in order to ensure connections for the shift operation for the Central Military Hospital.

Due to restrictions on air traffic and complete stopping of international rail transport, the special Airport Express bus between Václav Havel Airport Prague and the Main Train Station is temporarily out of operation.