Czech cities have best urban transport

A study by consulting firm PwC has ranked cities in central and eastern Europe for smart mobility, evaluating traffic management, environmental sustainability, public transport quality and active mobility. Top of the rankings was the Czech city of Ostrava, closely followed by Prague (Praha) and Brno. According to the study, Ostrava's high-quality public transport system, combined with effective traffic management and low prices, contributed to its top ranking. The city's extensive use of public transport, which accounts for 69 percent of all trips, was also a significant factor. "The main currency of Czech cities is cheap public transport, which is the cheapest in the region in terms of average wages," said analyst Jan Brázda for PwC. 

 

Daniel Morys, General Director and Chairman of the Board of the Ostrava Transport Company (DPO), expressed pride in the result, stating that it symbolizes Ostrava's attractiveness to both residents and investors. Morys attributed the success to the company's efforts to create modern, comfortable, clean, and safe public transport. "We have modern vehicles and infrastructure. For example, we have installed a fixed track on a number of sections, which reduces noise and vibrations from tram traffic," he said. 

 

Out of all the countries surveyed in PwC’s study, Brno, Ostrava, and Prague all had the lowest public transport costs in relation to monthly income. 

 

The study also highlighted Prague's “excellence” in active mobility, with the city ranking among the top five in this category. The capital’s low price point was also a “strong incentive” for people to ditch cars and utilize public transport. According to the study, Prague is among the five cleanest cities in the evaluated region in terms of pollution by dust particles originating mainly from traffic. In the ranking, Tallinn in Estonia, took third place overall, while Bratislava, Gdańsk, Košice, and Warsaw also made it to the top of the list.