Starting from the beginning of the next year, drivers heading to specific parts of Prague might be required to pay an entry fee. The initiative is being spearheaded by Prague 1 City Hall in partnership with the city administration. While discussions about entry charges have been ongoing, Deputy Mayor for Transport Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates) clarified that the charges would likely apply to entering certain areas of the historic district in the Lesser Town and around Smetanovo nábřeží.

Former BESIP expert Petr Vomáčka initiated this topic on social media, suggesting that the charges would encompass the entire Prague 1 area. However, Hřib clarified that point, emphasizing that discussions were centered around charging entry for specific parts of the city center to alleviate congestion and potential disruption to public transportation.

According to Hřib, the main focus is on areas like the Lesser Town and the vicinity of Smetanovo nábřeží. The city administration is in the process of preparing a legal analysis, and a formal proposal for the measure is under development.

Vojtěch Ryvola (ANO), a councilman for transport in Prague 1, detailed the preliminary scope of the proposal, mentioning that the charges might apply to both banks of the Vltava River around Charles Bridge. However, no finalized decision has been reached, and the proposal is still subject to development.

While there is speculation about drivers being required to pay around 200 CZK for entry, Hřib believes that the fee wouldn’t apply to residents or local business owners. He emphasized that the exact details of the proposal are being finalized.

The proposal for entry charges is supported by both the city administration and Prague 1. However, some surrounding districts, such as Prague 6, are against it, fearing that it could lead to increased traffic congestion in their areas as people head to the city center. Public sentiment on the issue is mixed, with some residents opposing the idea.

The mayor of Prague, Bohuslav Svoboda, previously denied considering such an initiative, linking the potential entry charges to the completion of the city’s ring road. He believed that charging entry without providing alternative routes could lead to inconvenience for residents.

As the discussions continue, the city’s officials are aiming to strike a balance between addressing traffic congestion in certain areas while considering the practicality and impact of entry charges on various stakeholders.

Article by Prague Forum