Prague’s Public Transportation Inspectors Conducted Record Number of Inspections in 2022

Last year, a record number of 8.33 million inspections were conducted by controllers in Prague’s public transportation, resulting in 255,115 fines and a collection of 227.9 million CZK by the Prague Public Transit Company (DPP).

This marks the highest number of passengers checked and fines collected since at least 2016, according to representatives from the DPP.

In comparison, the previous year saw approximately 8.18 million inspections and 219,607 fines issued, amounting to around 172.2 million CZK in fines.

In the past year, there was a notable increase in the number of fines issued despite a similar number of inspections, which can be attributed to various factors, according to Petr Witowski, the company’s director. One possible explanation is fares’ high cost, leading people to cut back on ticket expenses.

Another contributing factor could be the rise in remote work, resulting in more individuals opting for single-ride tickets or even attempting to travel without a valid ticket.

However, Witowski mentioned that in such cases, many fare evaders acknowledge their mistake and promptly pay the fine, often using card payment methods. Compared to the previous year, the percentage of immediate fine payments has increased to 50% from 37.2%.

Furthermore, 26.3% of individuals paid their fines within a thirty-day period, with approximately a quarter opting for cashless transactions. On the other hand, 23.7% of fines remained unpaid and were subsequently sent for further collection.

The director attributes the increase in inspections to the incentivization system for inspectors. Their performance is tied to the number of passengers checked, which affects a portion of their compensation.

Despite the growing need for inspections, the number of inspectors has remained stable, with around 150 individuals responsible for this role.

In Prague, the penalty for fare evasion stands at 1500 Czech koruna, but it can be reduced to 1000 CZK if paid immediately or within 15 days.

Additionally, the fine for forgetting an MHD travel card amounts to 50 CZK. It is worth noting that the DPP, the largest municipal company in Prague, employs nearly 11,000 individuals.