I just spent 45 minutes this morning queuing to purchase my new public transport card… I cannot say that this is the most effective system (and I’ll pass on the friendliness of the selling person – or better said lack off – who was doing other things at the same time – such as recounting her bank notes – which slowed down the process even more), but it could easily be improved since most of the people in the queue are usually tourists or foreigners who don’t have to stand there and could be buying their single use tickets:

• at the vending machines,
• or go to a Relay or any other Trafika-style shops if they don’t have cash or change,
• or even send an SMS (see how to – in Czech…) using the newly introduced system.

But all this would be possible only if the instructions were clearly indicated, in English at least, and not have the only “Ticket” sign in the area above the little booth. I also still don’t get why the vending machines cannot offer the purchase of periodic passes, and why they don’t accept bank notes or credit cards yet…

Here are two articles found on the subject:

Customer service changes still in transit: Prague transit operator Dopravní podnik hl.m. Prahy (DP) says it wants to make changes in its system to be more customer friendly, but trying to find out exactly what they envision is about as difficult as trying to read a tram route change sign that is printed only in Czech. (Czech Business Weekly, December 17, 2007)

Metro should work on reducing lines for tickets: Did anyone mention having a better system to issue monthly or quarterly passes? The lines go on forever, and just as your turn comes one of the TWO windows will close and the clerk will not return. I am certain they have my photo posted so that when they see me, one window will close. (Czech Business Weekly, January 7, 2007)

New year, new resolutions… and new tariffs as well. When most of the other cities of Europe are trying to cut down the traffic in the city centers or even re-introduce tramways, it’s a bit sad to see that Prague goes this way, encouraging drivers and not the public transport system…

For (some) information, routes and time tables, see the newly redesigned Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy (DPP) website.