Metro Stations Across Prague Are Potentially Being Renamed

The people of Prague might have to get used to new names for some metro stations and tram stops. This follows on from a concept proposed by the MHD for the development of public transportation in the city for the coming years, which has already been approved by the council. According to MHD, between 2019 and 2029, there will be a change in connections and intervals, and new tram lines will be created. 

The concept envisions the possible renaming of about two dozen tram stops and several metro stations. Malostranská, for example, would become Klárov or Malá Strana, Národní třída would become Perštýnem, and Pražského povstání would become Náměstím hrdinů (Heroes Square).

According to a document released by MHD, the changed names of tram stops will supposedly make the destinations clearer to passengers.

“Most of Prague’s inhabitants know where Bohnice is located, so it is better to call the stop “Bohnice Policlinikum” than the current name “Mazurská Policlinic” which is only known by those who attend the local polyclinic” the document states.

“The material has already been approved on the condition that any renaming has to be agreed on by the board. I personally opposed the renaming of subway stations, because it will confuse the citizens of Prague, and tourists are oriented solely by their maps so the names of stations mean nothing to them.” Deputy Mayor Petr Dolínek (ČSSD) said. 

The concept, which has been approved by the Council, still needs be discussed with the public and city sections.

The most recent renaming of Prague metro stations took place on February 21, 1990, after the fall of communism in the Czech Republic. Twelve stations with ideological names were changed according to locality. For example, Fučíkova station was named Nádraží Holešovice, Gottwaldova changed to Vyšehrad, and Leninov changed to Dejvická.

What else will change?

There are also plans to accelerate the intervals on line B, which should be shortened from 140 seconds to 120 seconds. For line C, it is planned to shorten the intervals from 115 seconds to 105 seconds.

Next year, the geological surveying for the new metro Line D between Pankrác and Písnice will begin. Planning permission has been granted, but two landlords are taking the decision to court. Should the landlords win their case and the court were to cancel planning permission, the DPP would have to start again from the beginning.

Buses and inter-link intervals to change

For urban buses, between 9:30 and 14:00, the intervals will be shortened from 15 to 12 minutes. Future timetables will also be simplified. Sunday schedules will be replaced by the same schedules as on Saturday. Changes will also be made to the night bus service.

The fleet will also change. Nowadays, most of the cars are 12 to 18 meters in length. One of the buses being considered for future service is a high-capacity up to 25-meter long bus that would take you to Ruzyne Airport.

Tram passengers should also be prepared for major changes, as the introduction of new routes and locations is expected.

The tracks from Divoká Šárka to Dědin, and from Modřan to Libuše will be extended. Trams will also run from Barrandov to Slivence and there are also plans for new tracks between Malovanka and Strahov, Podbany and Suchdol, and Vinohradské cemetery and Malešice Sídliště.

A new loop will be created between the Zahradním městě and the Depo Hostivař stops. The document proposed by the MHD also plans the extension of the Spořilov line to bus stop Choceradská, or to the new Dvorecký bridge between Prague 5 and 4.

Author: Holly Webb