Several Czech regions to increase transport fares: Will your city be affected?

Many regions across the Czech Republic are slated to see jumps in public transport fares starting in the new year. According to news outlet iDnes, one major reason for the price increase is the rise in value-added tax (VAT) for transport, from 10 to 12 percent. Prague has not yet announced any price jump.

In Liberec, for example, the cost of a one-time paper ticket will surge by 42 percent, to CZK 34. Pilsen, meanwhile, anticipates its annual transport ticket to become the nation's costliest, surpassing Prague’s pricing at CZK 4,574. In comparison, the capital’s annual travel ticket is so far set to remain at CZK 3,650.

Ostrava also plans to increase prices – but at the same time will increase the duration of a standard ticket’s validity. The price of a basic fare in the city will rise from CZK 25 to CZK 30, but will be extended from 45 minutes to 60.

Many cities have already adjusted their prices. This is the case in Zlín, where the price of the basic ticket has gone up by 50 percent – from CZK 12 to CZK 18, or in Děčín, where the fare has risen from CZK 22 to CZK 24.

Jihlava stands out as the sole city in the Czech Republic planning to decrease public transport fares starting next year. Recent reductions in annual passes for children – from CZK 730 to CZK 365 for those in school – aim to enhance schoolchildren's mobility. 

Jihlava councilor David Beke emphasized the need to diminish reliance on "Mama taxis" (getting lifts from parents) at schools and kindergartens, highlighting the potential of price adjustments to encourage greater public transport use. Additionally, seniors over 75 will enjoy free fares within the city, augmenting accessibility for this demographic.

Cities such as Benešov and Litoměřice have already adopted a forward-thinking approach, opting for free fares to curtail car traffic, citing potential economic benefits and the promotion of sustainable urban mobility. 

“Taking fares does not make economic sense if public transport is to become the backbone of sustainable urban mobility and the preferred means of transport around the city," said Tereza Lípová, spokeswoman for Benešov City Hall.”

So far, there has been no word on Prague increasing its fares for next year. However, price jumps could be coming. Director of the Prague Public Transport Company Petr Witowski recently described the capital’s prices as “unsustainable.”

"If you look at other European capitals, the share of revenue from fares in the total costs of public transport varies between 30 and 50 percent. The fact that we are below 15 percent in Prague is a significant anomaly. We will have to act on this,” said Prague councilor for finance Zdeněk Kovářík.

As municipalities grapple with rising operational costs and the interplay of generating revenue and public convenience, different approaches to setting fares have emerged. While many regions nationwide have opted to increase public transport prices, it remains to be seen whether Prague will follow suit.