At the Main Train Station, the reconstruction of the platforms and track layout has been completed

Prague - Today, the renovated first and second platforms opened to the public at Prague's Main Train Station; simultaneously, the reconstruction of the tracks was completed, which connected to the so-called New Railway Connection in the northern part. Train operations will return to full capacity on December 14 with the start of the new timetable, said Jan Komárek, director of the Czech Railway Infrastructure Administration (SŽDC), to ČTK.
    Workers gradually restored the first four platforms since January of this year, which have been serving the public since 1911. The third and fourth platforms opened in June this year, while the first and second opened today. Along with the platforms, SŽDC reconstructed two access underpasses. During the reconstruction, passengers could only use a single tunnel, which often experienced overcrowding.
    The renovated platforms at the Main Station are intended to bring greater comfort to passengers. The platform edges have been raised for better boarding and alighting from trains, and workers installed a new information system including digital displays and loudspeakers; all platforms are easily accessible for the disabled. At first glance, measures against pigeons, which like to linger under the station's arch, also attract attention.
    The tracks between the platforms have also been renewed. The entire construction cost 1.6 billion crowns. In the northern part of the station, the tracks connected with the so-called New Connection. "This will allow for the first time to create a timetable according to the needs of carriers and not just based on the limited capacity of the tracks," said Komárek. Thanks to this, most long-distance trains, including the Pendolino, will start running to "hlavák" on December 14.
    Trains on the New Connection have been in operation since September, but it will be fully utilized from December 14. The construction, which cost 9.3 billion crowns, began in July 2004, and today's ribbon-cutting ceremony at the station formally concluded it. Passengers had to deal with a number of interruptions, delays, and canceled connections during the construction. Some restrictions, particularly for connections to Moravia, will last until December 12.
    The New Connection consists of a network of viaducts and tunnels under Vítkov Hill, which aim to improve the passage of trains through Prague. "The city took advantage of this, as it ordered 30 percent more urban lines from the new timetable," said Jiří Kolář, Deputy Director of ČD for Passenger Transport. For the first time, suburban lines will pass through the center of Prague from south to north.