People with severe disabilities in Prague are set to find mobility a little easier. The city is increasing funding for the accessible transport service Bezba doprava and investing in additional vehicles as well as more staff.
The City Council has approved an extra 17 million crowns to ensure operations continue until the end of the year. The fleet will also be expanded with seven specially adapted vehicles. In addition, the ROPID dispatch centre, which coordinates journeys, will receive extra personnel.
For many passengers, Bezba doprava represents much more than convenience – it is often the only way to attend school, work, medical appointments, day centres, or cultural events. The service is not about comfort, but about fundamental independence and quality of life.
“We are expanding not only the vehicle fleet but also the capacity of day centres. Both are absolutely crucial for people with disabilities and their families,” explained Deputy Mayor for Social Affairs Alexandra Udženija. Her colleague for Transport, Zdeněk Hřib, described it as “a concrete step towards a fair and open city”, where barrier-free mobility is not a luxury but a basic right.
Despite improvements in public transport accessibility, the service often reaches its limits. At present, Bezba doprava dispatchers must turn down around 120 ride requests each day. Demand is expected to rise further from the autumn: already, around 500 applications for regular journeys in the new school year have been submitted.
“With our 44 vehicles we can no longer cope with demand. The new cars are urgently needed,” said ROPID director Petr Tomčík. They are scheduled to be in service by early 2026 and should at least temporarily ease the shortfall.
The scheme is open to holders of ZTP or ZTP/P disability cards who live in Prague or the neighbouring Central Bohemian region. Since 2022, the fleet has carried up to 350 passengers a day. Central Bohemia also contributes to funding, as many journeys cross beyond the city boundaries.
