The number of taxis in Prague has been rising rapidly, with registrations increasing by more than 50% per year since 2021.

At the same time, the vehicles in operation are getting older, raising concerns about emissions and urban air quality.

In response, Prague’s municipal government is proposing new regulations that would limit taxi licenses to cars no older than six years, starting in 2029. Additionally, from September 2029, only electric or hydrogen-powered taxis would be allowed on the city’s streets.

The proposal was reviewed on Tuesday by the City Council’s Transport Committee, and the final decision will rest with councilors and representatives, who would need to approve the changes in the form of a decree.

According to Markéta Braun Kohlová, the coordinator of Prague’s mobility plan, nearly 16,000 taxis were registered in the city last year. This figure includes both traditional taxi services and ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt. In contrast, Prague had fewer than 2,000 taxis in 2010.

However, the real number is likely even higher, as many taxis registered in other regions also operate in the capital. Since 2010, the annual growth rate of taxis in Prague has averaged 24%, but since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has surged beyond 50% per year.

“The average age of taxis is rising sharply,” Braun Kohlová noted. Until 2017, the typical Prague taxi was around four years old, but by 2023, that figure had increased to 10.5 years.

City officials argue that the increasing number of taxis negatively impacts air quality, as taxis cover far more kilometers per day than private cars. Although Prague’s air currently meets legal limits, European regulations will tighten these limits by 2030, reducing the allowable levels by half.

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