Prague transport
Many things changed in our lives as a result of the recent floods and not only in the lives of people who were directly affected by high water. Transport is a good example. In Prague there were no collapsed bridges, buckled rail tracks or stretches of roads swept away by water - the city has a different problem. The flooding of the metro hit Prague unprepared. The backbone of public transport was broken and as though through a time warp, Prague somehow almost returned back to the early 1970's before the first stretch of the metro was built.
Many things changed in our lives as a result of the recent floods and not only in the lives of people who were directly affected by high water. Transport is a good example. In Prague there were no collapsed bridges, buckled rail tracks or stretches of roads swept away by water - the city has a different problem. The flooding of the metro hit Prague unprepared. The backbone of public transport was broken and as though through a time warp, Prague somehow almost returned back to the early 1970's before the first stretch of the metro was built.
Buses and trams were immediately employed to cater for those parts of Prague which used to be easily accessible by underground. Luckily, the tram grid often copies the metro's route on the surface. Two special tram lines are replacing the closed parts of the A and B lines. The C line which cuts across the whole city from north to south has been replaced by a bus service.
Now, can you see anything positive in this? Well, something can certainly be found. Although buses aren't the most environmentally friendly means of transport, measures have been introduced for them to move faster and more easily around Prague. Special bus lanes were drawn on the roads, so buses are ensured smooth passage through the city. Traffic police are guarding crossroads, making sure that buses carrying dozens of people always get priority over private cars - in many cases with only the driver inside. Thanks to those provisions, the bus ride often takes no more time than a metro journey would.
These measures ought to be preserved even when everything returns back to normal, environmentalists say and I have to agree. The same goes for restrictions on private car transport in the centre of Prague. Another thing which upsets the drivers but is appreciated by local residents is that a section of the embankment and four bridges remain closed for all heavy vehicles except for ambulances, fire lorries and police cars. That area in Prague has become so much more pleasant - ideal for walking or cycling. Cyclists were prompt to react to the situation and are making the most of it.
Of course, Prague citizens and visitors will be greatly relieved when the metro returns back to normal operation. But I believe that many people, including myself, would welcome if some of the current provisions remained in force and pedestrians and cyclists could breathe cleaner air without fearing they would get run over by careless drivers.
