It’s not often a nation can point to areas where it truly excels. When we talk about our strengths, it’s often with a touch of irony, masking a bit of embarrassment. What does the Czech Republic lead the world in? Beer consumption, of course. The number of libraries per capita is a good one. And, frequently mentioned, though its origins are somewhat dubious, is the number of adult film performers per capita. But now, there’s another metric to add to the list.
According to recent data from Eurostat released on March 10th, the Czech Republic ranks third in the European Union for the percentage of people who use public transportation daily – 19 percent. The EU average is just under 11 percent.
At first glance, this isn’t something you’d necessarily boast about over dinner with friends abroad. In the Czech Republic, public transport is often referred to as “socka” – a term that carries a certain stigma. A crowded tram at 8 a.m. Isn’t exactly a selfie opportunity. It’s more common to see pictures from a car, complaining about traffic, or from a taxi, showcasing a certain level of affluence. While it’s becoming less accurate to say that public transport is only for those who can’t afford anything “better,” there’s still a perception that a car is a choice, while public transport is a necessity.
There’s a famous quote from Enrique Peñalosa, the former mayor of Bogotá, Colombia, who revolutionized transportation in the seven-million-person city and created one of the most successful bus systems in the world. He said, “A developed country is not where the poor are able to buy cars, but where the rich use public transportation.” The quote is sometimes mistakenly attributed to Colombian President Petro, but the source isn’t the point. The message is. And the data from Eurostat supports it.
Consider the company we’re keeping. Hungary leads the way at 19.6 percent, followed closely by the Czech Republic. Switzerland (19.2 percent) and Luxembourg (18.9 percent) round out the top four – two of the wealthiest countries in Europe. Luxembourg, notably, has offered free public transportation since 2020, the first country in the world to do so. Switzerland boasts a railway system widely considered the best in Europe, if not the world.
On the other conclude of the spectrum, Cyprus has 85 percent of its population never using public transport, while Italy (68 percent), Portugal (68 percent) and France (65 percent) all demonstrate significantly lower usage rates. These countries largely reflect a scenario where public transport is used by those who have no other option – reinforcing the original stereotype.
Interestingly, Eurostat also tracks people “at risk of poverty or social exclusion” (AROPE). Simplifying, this represents individuals with low incomes. In the Czech Republic, the proportion of people using public transport who fall into this category is roughly the same as the overall population – around 12 percent. When you ride the metro in the morning, approximately 12 out of every 100 passengers are considered “at risk of poverty.” This number is the lowest in Europe, partly because the Czech Republic has one of the lowest AROPE rates in the EU, and partly because public transport use isn’t correlated with income level as strongly as in other nations. In Germany, for example, over 30 percent of public transport users would fall into the AROPE category.
Of course, this doesn’t necessarily signify the Czech Republic has a perfect public transport system. It also doesn’t mean it’s solely about quality and affordability. There are wealthy cities where people don’t use public transport because they cycle or walk instead, like Copenhagen or Amsterdam, and many large cities in the wealthy Nordic countries. Low public transport usage doesn’t automatically equate to car dependency. Conversely, high usage in the Czech Republic may partially reflect the fact that car ownership remains relatively expensive.
The Czech Republic has its share of problems, but its relationship with public transport isn’t one of them. Many politicians recognize this, and there’s been consistent, long-term investment in the system.
Some argue this investment comes at the expense of road infrastructure. And it’s true that the Czech Republic lags behind countries like Poland in terms of highway kilometers, and lacks ring roads around Prague and many other cities. However, quality public transport isn’t necessarily detrimental to private vehicle infrastructure. In fact, it can alleviate congestion and reduce the demand for constant road expansion.
Transport economics recognizes a concept called “induced demand.” Simply put, expanding a highway leads to more cars, but doesn’t necessarily reduce traffic. Economists Duranton and Turner have demonstrated this as a near-ironclad law: every one percent increase in road capacity generates one percent more vehicle kilometers traveled. Investment in public transport, however, works in the opposite direction – a positive feedback loop where increased ridership justifies further investment, leading to improved service and even more riders.
Downs-Thomson’s paradox even suggests that the equilibrium speed of car travel will eventually equal the average travel time (door-to-door) by public transport. In other words, a new metro line that speeds up travel from one end of Prague to the other will also shorten the car journey time.
Nineteen percent of Czechs using public transport daily isn’t a sign of poverty; it’s a sign that the system works well enough that people who *could* drive choose to use it. This statistic is a clear positive indicator. It demonstrates a reality we often intuitively understand but don’t always fully appreciate: despite its shortcomings, and despite the challenges facing its political landscape, the Czech Republic remains a country where life is good.
What’s Next: The Czech Republic continues to invest in its public transportation infrastructure, with ongoing projects to expand metro lines, modernize tram fleets, and improve bus networks. The country is also preparing for the adoption of the Euro, which could further impact economic conditions and transportation affordability. Keep an eye on Eurostat for updated data on public transport usage and economic indicators in the coming months.
What are your experiences with public transport in the Czech Republic? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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