PICTURE: Prague has started the modernization of stops for a billion. Some Praguers don’t like black
The capital launched an extensive modernization of public transport stops this week. In the first phase, 690 new shelters are to be built in the metropolis by March 2023, for which Prague plans to pay about 835 million crowns. According to the company, which carried out the exchange of the city, the whole project became significantly more expensive due to the current growth of steel and aluminum. In the second stage, the shelters will gradually be supplemented with new digital markers with a timetable. Traditional reds are intended to replace the new blacks. Passengers can see the exemplary tram stop on Palackého náměstí since last year. Some Praguers do not like the color black, as it can have many disadvantages.
The city council decided to replace the shelter at a time when it was clear that the French company JCDecaux, which had operated shelters at stops since 1994, was not renewing the contract. The past management of the city called it unfavorable. Following the municipality under the leadership of Zdeněk Hřiba (Pirates), he said that he would take care of the stops himself. However, the existing shelters are not the property of the city, but of French companies. Prague must buy its own. The metropolis expects to pay around 835 million crowns (including VAT) for them.
According to the Technologies of the Capital City of Prague (THMP), about 40 to 50 new shelters should be built by the end of this year alone. They want to catch a total of 690 by March 2023. “It will always be changed for a stop so that people are not restricted in their travels,” explains Martin Drozd on behalf of THMP for Echo24.
The price of one new stop is supposed to be around THMP 420 thousand crowns (including VAT), but we still have to add the costs of the installation itself. However, some shelters can cost 100 to 200 thousand crowns more. The part should be equipped with a display that will offer information on departure times, an advertising panel or an acoustic beacon for the blind. The price will depend on the equipment. The shelters are to be manufactured and supplied by Energovod CZ.
The new shelters are made of steel profiles and cast aluminum. The prices of these materials have been rising in recent months. This, too, could significantly raise the original price of the contract. According to Martin Drozd, however, more than 80% of the growth in the prices of these raw materials is included in the price of shelters. Apart from one side wall, the walls of the shelter are transparent. Inside the stop there is a panel that shows timetables, but can also show the weather forecast.
The design of the shelters was designed by the Olgoj Chorchoj studio as well as the design of the so-called markers. The whole stop can be seen and tried from last year on Palackého náměstí. Apart from the mentioned functions, it does not bring any major innovations, the change is mainly visual. However, the rubbish bin, for example, has disappeared from the markings, which used to be red. However, the panel can also contain information about tram departures, which was rarely seen in the previous ones.
But the people of Prague will have to wait a little longer for the new signs in the streets. And although the first has been standing since last year, the rest is still in the prototyping phase, which the designers are working on together with the Prague Transport Company (DPP), the Institute for Planning and Development (IPR) and the organizer of Prague Integrated Transport (ROPID).
Why black? 100 years is a symbol of public transport red
However, not everyone liked the prototype of the new stop. For example, the Association for Beautiful and Healthy Prague, especially for the color change of markers. “Nothing against upgrading and installing smart solutions. Time demands it. But why the black color? For one hundred years, the symbol of public transport in Prague has been the color red with yellow, resp. its shades – we can see it for a whole generation on trams, buses and public transport stops. We will not see colors in the permanent exposition of the Museum of Public Transport in Prague, with other exceptions. Why are we willing to break this tradition so easily? Has anyone asked us Praguers if we agree with this rather fundamental change? Do we want black stops in Prague? And we will have black trams as well? ”The association states recently post on your site.
The change in the visual identity of the stops has recently provoked another discussion on social networks. For some people, the black marker is reminiscent of a cemetery tombstone or “stand on the ground”. Others point out that the original (red or red-yellow) design had its merits.
In addition to the fact that red and yellow symbolize the flag of Prague, according to one of the users, it should have the original color combination and a practical function. “Did the architects and designers think that the stop post was not for decoration, but that there was a signal in the first place that gave its surroundings instructions on how to behave in the place? It tells the passengers ‘the public transport will stop here and you can get on / off safely here’. He tells motorists ‘don’t park here, they are building public transport here’. And even public transport drivers clearly state ‘stop here and only here you can check in passengers’, “says one of the users, according to whom the original color combination was” unattainable “in this respect.
Another user writes: “Have the public transport cars repainted black, so that it goes well with the stops. And I would also like to repaint the cycle lanes on the roads in black, “wrote another user who obviously does not support the color revolution.”
For others, change comes as a pleasant refreshment: “The black one is great. In general, the color black in urban furniture looks much more pleasant, discreet. “