Prague for Itself proposes to examine the construction of the metro circle line O

Prague - The coalition group Prague Sobě, which is part of the Prague coalition, will propose to examine the possibility of constructing a circular metro line marked O. Its representatives told reporters today that the line would eliminate the need to travel through the center in some routes, relieve overloaded sections of the metro, simplify commuting for residents of Central Bohemia, and connect planned new developments to the public transport system. Deputy Adam Scheinherr (Prague Sobě) stated that this year he will present the feasibility study assignment to the city council. The opposition parties ODS and ANO generally agree with the proposal, and according to Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates), it will be necessary to verify the route.

The new line is expected to run from Nádraží Podbaba through Dejvice, Smíchov, Dvorce, Budějovická, Vršovice, Žižkov, Vysočany, Čakovice, and then, in the second phase, back north to Podbaba. Scheinherr stated that, according to the initial proposal, the line would be about 36 kilometers long and would have 23 stations, with the first part between Podbaba and Čakovice measuring 26 kilometers with 18 stations.

According to the deputy, the circular line would significantly shorten public transport journeys between neighboring parts of Prague while also ensuring connection to public transportation for areas with planned construction, where housing for over a quarter of a million people is expected to be created in the coming decades. "Even with the current demand, the metro line would transport around 150,000 passengers daily in the busiest sections between Smíchov and Budějovická," said Scheinherr. He added that in the future this number could double.

The deputy plans to present the details of the feasibility study assignment for line O to the city council this year. Scheinherr added that he had preliminarily discussed the possibility with some coalition partners and representatives from city organizations. "Everyone agrees that it is important for Prague to continue developing and not to get stuck in completing metro line D without any further continuation," he said. He added that the study could be completed in 2025, and if everything goes smoothly, the city could obtain a construction permit for the first southern section of the line by 2033.

The costs for the circular line cannot currently be estimated according to Scheinherr; it will also depend on the technologies used, and it can be anticipated that a much larger portion of the metro could run above ground. "Of course, this would be one of the largest investments in the city's history, but it's nothing we haven't experienced before; Prague has been able to build three metro lines at once," he said.

The deputy mayor for finance, Pavel Vyhnánek (Prague Sobě), said that the state should financially participate in the expansion of the metro. He added that the city had been accumulating funds but had not prepared projects. "Historically, what has happened is that the city accumulates funds, then prepares a project, and then after years, when that money has often lost tens of percent of its value, only then does it realize the project," he said.

Mayor Hřib indicated that this is a revived proposal that has been around since 1987 as line E and could be another logical step in the expansion of Prague’s public transport, although the coalition has not yet discussed it. According to him, the question is the route, where it will be necessary to verify whether it would be better to direct the line further from the center. "It should not follow the prepared tram circular route, which is expected to be completed much sooner considering the length of the approval processes for the metro construction," he stated.

The proposal by Prague Sobě was generally supported by the opposition parties ODS and ANO. "As a constructive opposition, we must commend our colleagues from Prague Sobě. They have revived studies from the time when ODS mayors were managing Prague, who had planned for the construction of a metro ring around the city center," said David Vodrážka, the mayor of Prague 13 and a city councilor for ODS. He added that ODS has supported a similar vision for many years.

The proposal was also appreciated by the chairman of the ANO councilors' club, Ondřej Prokop, who criticized the timing. "It makes sense; however, it's a pity that it is being presented more or less a minute before the elections without any broader discussion with experts. So it's a good idea, but essentially more of a marketing ploy before the elections, which I think is not the most appropriate," he said. He added that based on previous experiences, if the preparations were to begin, implementation could be expected within a 30-year horizon. "So it would also be good to say what will be done for transport in Prague during those 30 years," he added.

The city is currently waiting for a construction permit for the first section of the fourth line of metro D, which is expected to measure about ten kilometers and connect Pankrác and Písnice. In the future, another section from Pankrác to náměstí Míru is to be constructed. The total estimated cost of line D is currently projected at 97.79 billion crowns, according to this year's update.