Prague pledges to lower activation window for public transport tickets

Imagine your luck: just as you approach the public transport stop in Prague, you see your tram gliding in. You pull out your phone to purchase a ticket through the handy Lítačka app and are on your way without a second wasted.

Not so fast: a ticket inspector approaches you moments after the tram leaves the stop. Because the ticket takes two minutes to officially activate, you don't have a valid ticket, and the uncompromising inspector hits you with a CZK 1500 fine.

Prague residents have long raised concerns and expressed frustration over the two-minute activation time for tickets purchased through the Lítačka app, the official mobile app used for public transportation in the Czech capital.

The issue has recently gained traction on social media, with passengers highlighting instances where inspectors handed out fines to individuals waiting for their purchased tickets to activate. Zdeněk Hřib, Prague's Deputy Mayor for transport, has pledged to do something about it.

The current two-minute delay is intended to prevent potential abuse by passengers who may activate their tickets at the last minute before encountering an inspector. However, passengers argue that this delay has led to unfair fines, particularly when inspectors check tickets immediately after boarding.

Hřib has responded to the concerns, pledging to address the issue by reducing the activation time from two minutes to one minute, acknowledging the inconvenience faced by passengers. The proposed change is intended to strike a balance, allowing passengers a short time before boarding with a valid ticket while preventing abuses of the system.

The Deputy Mayor notes that the adjustment would require approval from Prague and the Central Bohemian Region before going into effect. In addition to reducing the activation time, there are plans to improve communication with passengers.

"We want this information to appear in advance, before the passenger activates the ticket," Hřib notes. The goal is to provide clear information about the time delay between ticket activation and its validity.

While awaiting approval for the proposed changes, passengers continue to share their experiences and frustrations on social media. The broader conversation underscores the importance of user-friendly public transportation systems and the need for responsive adjustments to address passengers' concerns effectively.