Prague and DPP will begin searching for a private partner for the construction of metro line D

Prague - Prague, together with the public transport company (DPP), will begin searching for a private partner to establish a company involved in the construction of metro line D. The joint venture is expected to aid in the development of station surroundings and the acquisition of problematic land. In the first phase, the section from Pankrác to Olbrachtova is to be created. This follows from the materials approved by Prague councilors today. Metro D is intended to relieve line C and improve accessibility to residential areas in the south of the city.

"The joint venture will be established in the form of a joint-stock company, whose shareholders will be DPP and a selected strategic partner," the document states. The DPP announced the creation of the company earlier this year in February. Ownership in the venture will be distributed such that DPP will own 49 percent of the shares, while the remaining 51 percent will belong to the investor.

The company is meant to facilitate the acquisition of missing plots of land. It will not be bound by regulations that prohibit the city and DPP from acquiring land above the estimated value. The company will address all planned stations - they will not be divided among various developers. DPP General Director Martin Gillar told ČTK at the beginning of June that the stations would belong only to DPP to avoid future disputes threatening metro operations.

Another goal of the joint company will be, according to the document, urban development around the metro stations, development projects, and enhancing the potential of locations, including the possibility of its own development activities. With the creation of the company, Prague would also reduce the necessity to invest in surface constructions. "The company will be tasked with managing the surface above the metro. Prague, through DPP, remains the sole investor in the metro construction. It was already expected that about four billion crowns would be invested by Prague in the surface, which would no longer be necessary," said Deputy Mayor Petr Dolínek (ČSSD).

The council also approved so-called phasing of the construction today. The metro will not be built all at once, but in parts. The first section to be constructed is Pankrác - Olbrachtova. The reason is that it is easiest to acquire the necessary land in this section. The city is having trouble with acquisitions, especially in Krč. It was not until this year that an agreement was negotiated with landowners, under which they allow Prague to build the metro while the city permits them to realize development projects.

The first section will be followed by another part leading to the Nové Dvory station. According to earlier statements from the city leadership, this section could be completed in 2023.

In addition to the section from Pankrác to Písnice, metro D will also extend from Pankrác to náměstí Míru. No decision has yet been made regarding the construction of this part of the route. The new line will feature driverless trains. Metro D is estimated to cost 50 billion crowns.