The Czech Railway Administration has unveiled ambitious plans for Prague’s railway network. With two underground tunnels, a central station, and four new stations, rail transport in Prague is set to be revolutionized. The project aims not only to increase capacity but also to reduce environmental impact.
The Czech Railway Administration (Správa železnic) has presented plans for the future development of the new Prague railway hub. This will include two separate tunnel sections and a two-story central station beneath Prague’s main railway station. The hub will also feature four additional underground stations.
With the growing number of passengers using suburban trains in the capital, future railway planning must account for this increased demand. To address this, the railway administration commissioned a feasibility study several years ago to explore the future design of the Prague railway hub.
“The Central Commission of the Ministry of Transport has selected the most suitable option, which involves the construction of two 10.6-kilometer-long tunnels and five new stations in the center of Prague. The tunnels will intersect at two levels beneath the main railway station,” said Transport Minister Martin Kupka.
Each tunnel will have a capacity of up to 16 trains per hour in each direction. “There will be underground stations in Karlín, Wenceslas Square, and Charles Square, as well as a partially underground station in Florenc. The estimated total cost of this variant is 185 billion crowns,” explained Pavel Paidar, Director of the Railway Administration’s Construction Preparation Department.
The approved design will now be integrated into strategic transport plans. The railway administration is collaborating closely with state institutions and local governments to implement the project. Additionally, adjustments are being made to spatial planning principles and land use plans.
“The project will provide new rail capacity directly in the city center, including several stations that will shorten walking distances for passengers. The result will not only make rail transport more attractive but also alleviate pressure on the busiest sections of public transport in the city center. At the same time, the enhanced railway network will reduce road traffic. Fewer cars in the city will mean fewer emissions, less noise, and a significant improvement in the environment,” said Zdeněk Hřib, First Deputy Mayor of Prague for Transport.
The feasibility study for the Prague railway hub examined three basic designs and two modifications of one of them. One alternative variant included two large stations beneath the main railway station and Wenceslas Square, connected by a common four-track section. Another variant proposed a central station called Opera. The selected variant was originally designed for faster service with fewer stations.
