The next phase of the exchange of public transport stops began in Prague. The work is going according to plan
Tomáš Jílek, director of the city’s Technology of the Capital City of Prague (THMP), which is in charge of the exchange, told ČTK today. According to him, there are no problems with the supply of furniture. The city is still deciding who will be in charge of advertising on the shelters, according to Jílek, it could be the THMP company.
Hundreds of shelters at public transport stops were operated by JCDecaux under a 1994 contract. In exchange for their provision and maintenance, the city could run advertising on them. The contract ended at the end of last June, the city management had previously decided to purchase its own furniture. The exchange began at the end of last year, while the THMP, according to Jílek, has completed the exchange of about a hundred stops.
According to previous information, the company will exchange furniture in total at 690 stops. By the end of the holidays, another 234 of them will get a new look. According to the director of THMP, the main activity was planned for July and August, when there will be less traffic in Prague. In September, more work is not planned. At the same time, 203 separate JCDecaux advertising media should disappear from the streets by the end of August without compensation.
In the first phase of the exchange, the city failed to replace as many stops as planned, according to Jílek, some of the delays were caught up in the spring. The director added that the company now has dozens of shelters in stock, which allows for better work planning than if the contractor imports furniture directly for construction sites.
The city is also still deciding who will be in charge of announcing tenders for the company that will run advertising space at the stops. Originally, there was talk that it should be a transport company, but last week, according to Jílek, the relevant municipal commission designated the THMP as a more suitable adept.
“The Commission has stated that, at this time, and in connection with the planned digitization of advertising at stops, it seems more appropriate for the THMP to complete the project and to be the tenderer for the advertising operator.” He said that the ads at the stops will include up to 150 digital panels. THMP is now finalizing a tender for their delivery. Prague will have revenues from the areas to the city budget.
The final decision on advertising will be in the city councils. In any case, THMP will be in charge of maintaining the new shelters, which, according to Jílek, plan to work closely with another city company, Pražské služby. The entire exchange is to be completed in the middle of next year.
In 2018, Prague chose the design of the new furniture in a design competition in which the Olgoj Chorchoj studio succeeded. The jury especially appreciated the design purity. Stop made of dark gray aluminum and includes a trash can. Inside part of the shelters there is an orientation panel, informing passengers about the name of the stops, in time or departures. According to previous information, the planned digital panels should also provide information, for example, on cultural or sporting events and, in the event of unexpected events, the municipality’s crisis center reports.