New Počernická Tram Line Drives Greener Prague Mobility

Prague is pushing ahead with a major expansion of its tram network as work gathers pace on the new Počernická line, a project designed to boost connectivity to eastern districts while introducing greener infrastructure along one of the capital’s key streets.

A 2.4-Kilometer Link Redrawing Prague’s Eastern Transit Map

According to publicly available information from the Prague Public Transit Company, construction has begun on a 2.4-kilometer tram line running the full length of Počernická Street, from the intersection with Vinohradská Street to a new turning loop at Dřevčická Street. This new corridor will add a fresh eastbound branch to the city’s dense tram network and is intended to serve rapidly growing residential areas between Strašnice and Malešice.

Reports indicate that the line will feature six pairs of stops named Hagibor, Na Palouku, Hostýnská, Plaňanská, Tuchorazská and Sídliště Malešice. These stops are planned to link existing housing estates, new residential projects and local services with established hubs on Vinohradská and Jana Želivského streets, creating more direct access to the wider Prague Integrated Transport system.

Project documentation and municipal transport strategies show that Počernická is one of several new tram routes being delivered in phases across the city. Together with new and upgraded tracks at Wenceslas Square, the Muzeum corridor and Jarov, the Počernická line is expected to help redistribute passenger flows and relieve overloaded radial routes heading toward the city center.

The line also restores a higher-capacity public transport option to parts of Malešice, which have relied largely on buses for decades. Long-term planning materials from the city highlight this district as a focus for development, with the tram seen as a catalyst for more compact, transit-oriented growth.

Better Connections for Malešice, Jarov and City-Center Hubs

Prague’s current expansion of tram infrastructure is being framed as a network-wide upgrade rather than a series of isolated projects. Coverage in local media outlines how the Počernická line is coordinated with future direct connections from Malešice to central nodes such as the Masaryk railway station, Muzeum and Národní třída, planned as part of a broader recasting of tram routes from 2026 onward.

Complementary projects include a new line from Olšanská to Habrová near Jarov, designed to offer faster journeys from Vackov and Třebešín toward the inner city. Publicly available planning documents describe these orbital and tangential links as essential for reducing pressure on the busiest metro sections and for offering more route choices without requiring passengers to pass through the very center of Prague.

By tying Počernická into these new tangential connections, transport planners aim to shorten transfers between eastern residential zones and key interchange points. In practice, this should mean more direct trips to major stations and metro lines, as well as more resilience when sections of the network are under maintenance.

Local reporting also notes that new routes will be timed with the delivery of additional low-floor tram vehicles and the modernization of depots, which are intended to support more frequent services on corridors like Počernická during peak hours. The result is expected to be a visible improvement in capacity and comfort for commuters from Malešice and surrounding neighborhoods.

Greener Tracks at the Heart of Prague’s Climate Strategy

The Počernická project stands out not only for its role in connectivity but also for its environmental design. Tender documents and press materials from the transit operator specify that most of the track structure will be “greened,” either with grass-covered sections or surfaces planted with drought-resistant vegetation, rather than conventional ballast or asphalt.

This approach is aligned with Prague’s broader sustainable mobility strategy, which emphasizes measures to reduce noise and air pollution from transport and to soften heavily paved corridors with more permeable, planted surfaces. Green tracks can help absorb rainfall, lower surface temperatures during heatwaves and slightly dampen the sound of passing trams, contributing to a more comfortable streetscape for nearby residents.

Urban-transport policy papers released by the city underline that new tram lines are expected to support climate goals by encouraging shifts from private cars to public transport. The Počernická corridor, which currently carries significant road traffic, is seen as a prime candidate for this transformation, as reliable tram services are typically more attractive for daily commuting than bus-only options in congested conditions.

The emphasis on greenery also reflects lessons learned from recent reconstructions across the network, where grassed trackbeds have become an increasingly common feature. The Počernická line is being treated as a high-profile example of this trend, signaling that new infrastructure should contribute to both mobility and environmental quality.

New Trams and Depots Prepare the Network for Growth

Infrastructure along Počernická is being planned in tandem with rolling-stock upgrades. Publicly available information from manufacturer Škoda Group and Prague-based outlets highlights the introduction of the new Škoda ForCity Plus 52T tram model, the first completely new tram type for the city in roughly two decades. These 100 percent low-floor vehicles are designed to handle Prague’s demanding network while providing more accessible boarding for passengers.

Reports indicate that the Prague Public Transit Company is acquiring dozens of these 52T trams, which will gradually enter passenger service following testing and homologation. The new vehicles are expected to operate on routes served by the modernized Hloubětín depot and other upgraded facilities, improving comfort, accessibility and capacity across lines that may connect with Počernická.

The modernization of the Hloubětín depot itself, completed in 2025 according to construction-industry coverage, plays an important role in enabling expansions like the Počernická route. The refurbished complex includes a large multi-track hall for parking and maintenance, allowing the operator to stable and service a greater number of longer, articulated trams than was previously possible.

Strategic documents from the city and the transit operator emphasize that investments in depots, power infrastructure and passenger information systems are essential if new lines such as Počernická are to run with high frequencies and minimal disruption. By synchronizing depot upgrades, fleet renewal and corridor construction, Prague aims to ensure that new tracks are matched by modern vehicles and sufficient back-end capacity.

Part of a Wider Rethink of Prague’s Surface Transport

The Počernická tram line is just one element of a sweeping reconfiguration of how Prague moves people on the surface. In recent years, the city has advanced or completed several prominent tram projects, including the return of tracks to Wenceslas Square, the start of construction on the Muzeum line between Vinohradská and Legerova streets, and the creation of new links in suburban districts such as Libuš and Zdiby.

Transport overviews and media reports describe this program as a response to long-term population growth, new residential developments and the need to support the under-construction Metro Line D with strong feeder and alternative routes. Tram extensions like Počernická are expected to complement trolleybus corridors and upgraded bus lines, reinforcing a multimodal network that gives passengers a broader set of sustainable options.

In parallel, the city is moving ahead with public-space improvements around key tram corridors, including redesigned squares and safer pedestrian environments at major intersections. Although each project follows its own timeline, the cumulative effect is a gradual shift of central and inner-city streets toward a more transit- and pedestrian-oriented layout.

As construction continues along Počernická Street, Prague’s tram map is steadily evolving to reflect this new priority. For residents and visitors alike, the emerging network promises more direct journeys, quieter and greener streets, and a stronger alternative to car traffic on some of the capital’s busiest east-west routes.