On 22nd January 2024, the Prague City Council decided to automate metro line C and line D, which is currently under construction, for driverless operation. The estimated cost of the project, including the purchase of new vehicles, is around €3.5 billion (CZK 86 billion). The automation is intended to reduce train headways on the busy line C from the current 115 seconds to 90 seconds. Line D will create a faster connection between the southern outskirts of the city and the centre of Prague. A total of 69 new metro trains are planned for both lines, with 53 trains required for line C and 16 trains for line D. Prague Transport plans to contract out the maintenance of the trains and the technical systems for automated operation for a period of 35 years. The first automated vehicles and converted sections of line should be completed by 2027/28. Annual operating cost savings of around €31 million are expected for line C. Once line C has been converted, the plan is to use the Siemens/Adtranz metro trains that were put into operation there between 2000 and 2003 on lines A and B.
