Public transport users in Prague and Central Bohemia should prepare for a substantial fare increase starting January 2026.

The regional governments are moving forward with a plan to raise prices by as much as 30% for paper tickets and 20% for digital fares, citing escalating operational costs and a push towards more efficient, electronic systems.

The Central Bohemian Regional Council has already approved the fare hike, with a final vote by regional councillors set for June 9. Prague City Council is expected to follow suit soon after.

According to Petr Borecký (STAN), regional councillor for transport, and Andrej Hofman, deputy director of the Integrated Transport System of the Central Bohemian Region (IDSK), preparations are underway to implement the changes by the beginning of next year.

What Will the New Fares Look Like?

Under the proposed changes:

• A regular 30-minute paper ticket covering three tariff zones will rise from CZK 30 to CZK 39.
• The same fare purchased via the PID Lítačka mobile app will cost CZK 36.

The goal is to encourage the use of electronic tickets, which reduce printing costs and speed up boarding.

Some commuters may not feel the full impact of the increase, as Prague zones are being streamlined, which could offset higher fares for certain routes. Additionally, new group discounts will be introduced—for example, for two adults and up to four children.

Automatic Inflation Adjustments Ahead

To avoid unpredictable price jumps in the future, the region also plans to introduce automatic fare indexing tied to inflation, similar to adjustments used in the national railway system. If approved, this would allow for fare changes approximately every two years, said Hofman.

He also noted that riders using individual tickets via the PID Lítačka app will soon be allowed to board buses through rear doors, eliminating the need to check in with the driver.

How Much Will This Cost—and Raise?

The Central Bohemian Region is expected to spend CZK 5.2 billion on transport services this year, marking a 13% increase from last year. However, fare revenues only cover around 29% of these costs. Ticket sales are expected to bring in CZK 2.7 billion, while the planned fare hike could add an additional CZK 375 million annually.

Overall transport costs—including regional expenses, state subsidies, municipal contributions, and ticket revenue—exceed CZK 9 billion.

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