Passenger services began using the country’s longest railway tunnel on November 16, the day after the first revenue freight train. With a 4174 m long northern bore and 4150 m southern bore, the tunnel under the Chlum and Homolka hills near Ejpovice to the east of Plzeň is the main feature of a new 141 km double-track alignment between Rokycany (Ejpovice) and Plzeň-Doubravka. This is 61 km shorter than the 20 km route via Chrást, which will now be partly closed. Trains are initially only using the southern bore until December 7th and will run at a maximum speed of 50 km/h until the launch of the full service and 160 km/h running with the December 9 timetable change. This will reduce the journey time between Plzeň and Praha-Smíchov by 11 min. The slab track in the tunnel has been designed for a maximum of 200 km/h, and testing at this speed is planned for 2019. ETCS is due to be installed in 2021. Progress was delayed by more than a year because of unstable soil, excessive groundwater and archaeological surveys. The previous longest tunnel in the country was the 1758 m Březenský tunnel near Chomutov which opened in 2007. Author:...
Prague has chosen the new design for Vítězné náměstí, which will be dominated by a tall obelisk in the centre. The winning proposal moves the tram from the centre of the square to the edge, and the roundabout will be hidden by an alley of trees. The Architectural competition of the Institute of Planning and Development of the City of Prague (IPR) was won by Pavel Hnilička Architects. The revitalisation of the square is based on Antonín Engel’s original urban plans in the 1920s, in which Engel counted on the location of the monument being in the centre of the square. “I am pleased that we managed to choose a design that continues to reference urban architect Antonín Engel and offers more possibilities for citizens. Especially a more pleasant movement of pedestrians across the square,” said Petra Kolínská, Deputy Mayor. The new design envisions the installation of a new open space in front of the Faculty of Engineering at CTU. Farmers’ Markets and other events will likely move to the centre of the square, and according to the approved proposal, the trams will be moved to the western edge of the square. According to the IPR, the proposed transport solution...
Virtual reality becomes real reality. The Prague Public Transport Company has teamed up with the studio Anna Marešová designers to create a sightseeing tram for Prague called the T3 Coupé. Whereas visitors to last year’s edition of Designblok could take a virtual ride in the tram, this year they get the real thing. After two years – from idea to completed vehicle – the public will see firsthand this unique tram inspired by the legendary T3 trams of Czechoslovakia. Prague and the T3 tram form an inseparable pair. In collaboration with Anna Marešová designers, the Prague Public Transport Company has created a new pleasure-tram concept based on the tradition of the legendary Tatra T3 tram. The opening of the rear section of the vehicle and use of original components combined with modern technologies has given rise to an old-timer that demonstrates the ability of the transport company to offer some real luxury. Not only does the tram offer passengers the enjoyment of riding through the city in a semi-open vehicle, it lets them do so in style. ‘Sightseeing trams have a certain tradition in Prague. In 1913, after all, the legendary 500 open-top tram was produced. Today, it’s the pride...
For the very first time, the Czech Republic has ranked in the top twenty most expensive shopping streets in the world. Na Příkopě advanced to the 19th spot in this year’s ranking. The average monthly rental per square metre is almost six thousand crowns. The results come from a study conducted by Cushman & Wakefield. Cushman & Wakefield annually evaluates 446 of the most popular shopping destinations in 65 different countries. The ranking lists the most expensive shopping streets in each country. According to this study, the average monthly rent per square metre on Na Příkopě street amounts to 230 euros (about 5980 CZK), up by five percent from the previous year. The most expensive street in the world is Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay, followed by the upper part of Fifth Avenue in New York. In third place was New Bond Street in London, which is the most expensive street in Europe. The annual rent on Na Příkopě amounts to about one-tenth of the rent on Fifth Avenue. “Among the most expensive streets in the Czech Republic are Na Příkopě and Pařížská Street. While Pařížská is the destination of luxury brands, Na Příkopě is a significant street from the point of...
ČSA Czech Airlines is satisfied with 2018 so far. In the first half of the year, the airline increased passenger numbers to 1.174 million, a 22% increase. However, management not only wants to grow with its own routes but also emerge in the wet-lease business. Eurowings will lease up to five A319s from ČSA next year. The agreement will run, depending on the aircraft, between 12 and 18 months. One base for the ČSA aircraft will be Stuttgart. Overall, ČSA currently owns nine Airbus A319s. However, the A319s should gradually disappear from the fleet of the Czech Airlines starting from December 2018. Ján Tóth, a spokesman of the airline confirmed, “The plan is to phase out the Airbuses from the end of 2018. In time, the group will soon have sixty to seventy airplanes and fly to a hundred destinations in Europe.” On regional routes, ČSA continues to fly the ATR, while A330s rented from Korean Air are used on scheduled services to South Korea. “[The A330] contract is still running until the end of summer season 2020,” said Tóth. Airbus A319s are going to be replaced by Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737MAX aircraft coming from new CSA owner Travel Service. The Czech charter company...
Riga has been ranked the cheapest city for a festive break, according to new research. The Latvian capital costs just £499 for a two-night break for two people this Christmas, almost half the price of the same holiday to Copenhagen – the most expensive out of the 10 surveyed at £884. The annual Post Office Travel Money Christmas Markets Barometer, which comes out as Christmas markets kick off all across Europe, surveyed holiday prices to 10 European cities with popular Christmas markets. It calculated the price based on return flights, B&B accommodation, transfers, evening meals with wine and festive snacks for two people. After Riga, Prague came in second place, with a two-night break costing £592 for two, representing a 12.2 per cent drop on last year. Tallinn in Estonia was third, with a break to the Christmas markets costing £606 – an almost 6 per cent hike from 2017. “Our advice to people planning visits to a Christmas market city is to do their homework carefully before booking,” says Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money. “It’s well known that tourist staples are cheap in Eastern European cities, but Berlin also looks great value for a Christmas markets break this year and,...
KRCIN, Czech Republic (AP) — Czechs will have to pay more for their traditional Christmas delicacy this year after a serious drought devastated the carp population. The drought overheated and dried out ponds, sucking oxygen from them and drastically reducing numbers of the fish in most parts of the Czech Republic. But the situation was different in the southern Bohemia region near the border with Austria, which is considered a carp haven. The region also suffered from the drought, but a network of about 500 carp ponds interconnected with man-made canals ensured adequate living conditions for the fish. As fishermen start the practice of catching carp for Christmas markets, here’s a look at the annual tradition and the effects the drought has had on it. RISING PRICES Carp being sold this year at Christmas markets will be more expensive, by up to 10 CZK per kilogram. “A lack of water in the ponds was a key factor this autumn for the (increased) price,” said Josef Malecha, chief executive of Trebon Fisheries, a major fresh water fish producer in the country and the European Union. The company estimates its fish production this year will be similar to previous years, about 3,200...
Tens of thousands of Czechs rallied in Prague on Saturday calling for Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to resign as the country marked the 29th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution that toppled the communist regime. Babiš has been charged with misusing European Union subsidies for a farm he transferred to family members, including his son, Andrej Babis Jr. The Czech leader denies wrongdoing. His son told Czech news portal Seznam Zpravy this week he was kept in Crimea against his will so he couldn’t be questioned in the case. Babiš has said his son, who lives in Switzerland, is mentally ill and in Crimea voluntarily. “It is inadmissible that someone under investigation and a StB collaborator is prime minister,” said Mikulas Minar, head of a group that organised a protest by around 20,000 people in the city centre. The Czech premier vowed Friday he would “never resign, never” before leaving to meet his son in Switzerland. Author: red
Czech Pirate Party candidate Zdeněk Hřib was elected on Thursday as Prague mayor by the city assembly. A total of 39 members of the 65-seat city assembly supported his candidacy. Hřib was jointly nominated by the Pirate Party and the movements of United Forces for Prague and Prague for Itself, which formed a ruling coalition following the October municipal election in the capital. “I promise that I will treat my duties with due humility and responsibility. [Such an approach] is also needed to address the long-standing problems and challenges that Prague is facing. I believe that I will manage to create a new style of relations with the opposition and local residents,” Hřib said after the election, as broadcast by the local television. Hřib, 37, was born in the town of Slavicin, located near the border with Slovakia. He has been living in Prague since 1999. Hřib studied medicine at the Charles University in Prague, afterward he worked in several medical companies. Since 2013, he has been a member of the Pirate Party, which is the third largest political force in the national parliament’s lower house. Author: red
It’s time to share the limelight. The popular, electric-green bike sharing company, Lime (formerly known as LimeBike), rolled out its electric scooters, dubbed Lime-S, in Prague at the end of September. People can be seen zooming around the capital city on these, but a new service from them could be spotted on the streets soon. The company just announced its newest plan: car sharing. While the cars will not hit Europe for a while, this next level of transportation, called LimePod, is being launched in Seattle. It’s no coincidence Seattle was picked for the launch. It is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest and the bike-sharing aspect of the businesses was also tested in this city. Lime plans to deploy 1,500 shared cars by the beginning of 2019 in Seattle. This would make Lime the largest car sharing provider in one American city ever Bloomberg reported. Unlike the electric scooters, LimePods will not be electric and will have insurance built into the price like Car2Go or Czech Revolt. It will work like the LimeBikes and Lime-S. The user will use the app to find a free car, unlock it for $1 (25 CZK) and then pay 40 cents per minute...
A recent survey conducted by CVVM agency has revealed that the consumption of beer among Czech men is among the lowest registered in 14 years and the weekly consumption has dropped to 7.6 half-liters. Consumption of beer among Czech women has increased to 2.7 half-liters a week. While in 2004 the average daily consumption was over 400 half-liters per year, last year that figure was less than 300 half liters. Findings noted that people tend to go to the pub less – one researcher cited family obligations and a tendency among Czechs to drink at home alone – but individual stats reflect an overarching theme of loyalty toward one’s local. The drop in beer consumption follows a seven-year period of relative stagnation. Several factors had played a role when it came to fewer Czechs going out to pubs or restaurants: the introduction of electronic cash registers which saw some venues fold and others raise their prices and the introduction of anti-smoking legislation. Author: red
From the 14th to the 28th of November, you will find French culture on every corner of the city – on Jiřího z Poděbrad square, in cinemas and even in the Convent of Saint Agnes. From today you can truly appreciate the “Savoir vivre” and join in with the festivities of France Week 2018. Brittany – a land of promised art Kino 35 – November 14, 2018 There are plenty of reasons to fall in love with Brittany, the historic province in the most western part of France. On Wednesday, November 14th, Kino 35 will host a lecture by the director of Musée Départemental, Breton Philip Le Stuma, and Curator Margareth Le Guellec-Dabrowski. The lecture will focus on the important role played by Brittany in the cultural history of Europe. Beaujolais Nouveau and St. Martin’s Kaiserštejnský palác – 15. 11. 2018 The opening ceremony of the fifth year of France Week will take place in the Kaiserštejn Palace. On this occasion, you can celebrate the arrival of this year’s young wines – Beaujolais Nouveau and St. Martin’s. Beaujolais Nouveau is a fresh, young, red wine that comes from the Beaujolais wine region in France. Sign up for the event here ...
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