Prague's JzP metro station goes barrier-free with opening of new elevators

Prague's Jiřího z Poděbrad metro station has officially reached reached barrier-free status with the opening of new elevators earlier this week, significantly enhancing accessibility for passengers with mobility issues, parents with strollers, and others. The Vinohrady station is now the 47th barrier-free station in the Prague metro network.

The new elevators connect the metro platform to street level by the ongoing repairs at Jiřího z Poděbrad Square. The project took nearly three years to complete, with construction spanning 1,035 days. The estimated cost of the project was approximately CZK 500 million.

“The newly reconstructed Jiřího z Poděbrad metro station is now fully barrier-free thanks to these new elevators,” Zdeněk Hřib, Prague's deputy mayor for transport, states through a press release.

“This significantly eases travel for those with mobility restrictions, parents with strollers, and seniors. This station becomes the first barrier-free metro station in Prague 3, and we aim to continue this modernization effort across the metro network.”

Each elevator has a capacity to transport up to 21 people, with a maximum load of 1,600 kilograms. The lower stop of the elevators is located at the opposite end of the metro platform from the escalators, while the upper station is situated about 30 meters from the sidewalk on Vinohradská Street, near the current tram stop.

In addition to the elevators, the project included constructing a second exit from the station and an emergency staircase around both elevator shafts. The completion of the elevators marks the end of the first phase of the surrounding square's transformation, with further plans to relocate the tram stop closer to the new elevator entrances.

“After almost three years of construction, we have completed Jiřího z Poděbrad station," adds Marek Kopřiva from Prague Public Transit Company (DPP).

"Similar projects, including station revitalization, escalator replacement, and accessibility improvements, are planned for nearby stations like Flora and Českomoravská. We aim to start construction at Radlická and Českomoravská stations later this year.”

While DPP's work at Jiřího z Poděbrad has now concluded with the addition of the new elevators, extensive reconstruction to the square at street level continues, with much of the area closed to the public. Renovations are expected to run through early 2027.