Prague to implement CZK 200 entry fee for drivers entering parts of city center

Starting January 2024, the City of Prague is set to implement a long-anticipated fee for motor vehicles that enter specific sections of Prague 1. Drivers will be required to pay CZK 200 to enter the area. This "pass" will last for a 24-hour period after payment is completed.

The aim of this measure, according to Prague Deputy Mayor for Transport Zdenek Hřib, is to prevent excess traffic and tram delays in areas such as Malá Strana and Smetanovo nábřeží. Hřib emphasized on social network X that the fee will not apply to the entirety of Prague 1, but rather to specific areas near Charles Bridge. "Charging for the whole of Prague 1 has never been on the cards," he wrote.

Councilor for transport of Prague 1 Vojtěch Ryvola has confirmed this week that the full draft will be ready in approximately two weeks. The suggested entrance fee will be imposed on the areas surrounding the Charles Bridge on both banks of the Vltava River. This will encompass the left bank near Újezd, Karmelitská, and Tržiště Streets, as well as the right bank around Smetanovo nábřeží, and Divadelní and Křižovnická Streets.

"The method of payment and exemptions have not yet been decided," said road safety expert Petr Vomáčka, current head of the Prague 14 transport department. This was confirmed by Hřib.

Earlier today, Vomáčka posted a map indicating that the entirety of Prague 1 would be subject to a fee for motorists wishing to enter it. This was quickly dispelled by Hřib, who also cast aside Vomáčka's claim that "special cars" would be checking whether motorists had paid the entrance fee.

Vomáčka also added that the district of Prague 6 (which borders Prague 1) and employees of government ministries based in Prague 1 are not particularly enthusiastic about the decision.

Czech Radio reports that the entire municipality and the management of the Prague 1 district are in agreement on implementing the entry charge. The City of Prague has already conducted a legal analysis of the planned fee, on which it will base its draft proposal. 

Currently, the Technical Administration of Communications is also working on a model to assess the impact of charging entry to the city center, as well as other districts within the city. Discussions are underway to determine who will be exempted from the charge.

Hřib said this week that reducing tram delays in Prague 1 is imperative, because such hold-ups cause problems across the entire network.

In June, Prague 1 outlined that the fee would not apply to residents of the area. “We are still negotiating exceptions, including with those who have their company registered here,” said Prague 1 Mayor Terezie Radoměřská Monday. Hřib also confirmed this afternoon that the fee would not apply to residents or local businesses.