P+R lots to expand at Černý Most and Zličín

Prague is preparing to expand the Park and Ride (P+R) lots at the final stops of the Metro B line over the next two years, making it easier for commuters to leave cars at Černý Most and Zličín. New parking places should also be built in the Central Bohemian region near railway stations, so people can get to the center of the capital conveniently by train.

Prague spokesman Vít Hofman said the city wants a common space for a parking lot and bus terminal at Zličín. However, the plan is facing issues with approval, so the city is looking for another solution to increase the number of parking spaces there.

At Černý Most design work on a new parking garage has been started by design firm Obermeyer Helika. The garage will be at the site of the existing P+R car lot near the metro, and capacity will grow significantly to 880 spaces.

Hofman said a zoning decision is expected this year. The entire building is due to be completed by 2020. An application for EU subsidies under the Operational Program Prague – Growth Pole of the Czech Republic is being processed, Hofman added.

The façade of the four-story building will be partly covered with greenery to improve the environment. The construction costs have not been determined.

Parking at the edge of Prague is experiencing increasing pressure due to the introduction of parking zones in more parts of the city. A solution would be to have commuters from the Central Bohemia region park at their nearest train station and continue to the city center on a train.

However, parking is a problem there as well. Many towns in Central Bohemia such as Milovice, Cerhenice or Pečky are preparing P+R projects, and the Ministry of Regional Development is offering support from EU subsidies.

No all P+R lots have met with the expected demand. In mid-October, Prague opened three new lots for 530 passenger cars at Kotlářka, Švehlova Street, and Písnice. These lots have seen very little usage and mostly sit completely empty.