Happening pointed out the need for barrier-free transportation in Prague

Prague - A model of the exit from the metro station today at Franz Kafka Square in Prague highlighted the necessity for barrier-free modifications of the subway stations in the city center. During a happening event called "Living Dream," people with disabilities tried to draw attention to the problems of using public transportation. They symbolically cut a ribbon and toasted with grape juice to a new elevator that would at least provide them access to the exit from the nearby Staroměstská station.
"It's an effort to draw attention to the state of the Prague metro. Several stations in the city center are currently inaccessible to many people," said actor Jan Potměšil to ČTK. He stated that traveling by metro to the center of Prague is often a "horrific experience" for wheelchair users. "It's a matter of life. It's not pleasant for wheelchair users, and even more so, the people passing by are worried for us," he emphasized.
The event was also attended by actor Jan Kašpar and presenter Radek Musílek, who attempted to exit the Staroměstská metro station. "It took 45 minutes," he said. Participants of the event tried to summon a "good spirit" of the elevator with the drummer from the group The Tap Tap, Marek Valenta.
The organizers of the event pointed out that this year, the stations Háje and Národní třída were made accessible in Prague. However, there are still no elevators in 23 stations of the Prague metro, while Vienna has a completely barrier-free metro system.
Access for people with disabilities is also lacking in most trams and buses. "Only a third of the buses and ten percent of trams allow rides for disabled people," said Erik Čipera from the company Asistence to ČTK. According to him, the problem needs to be constantly highlighted. "We are trying to raise awareness so that this problem does not 'fall asleep'," he stated.
The situation in Prague is disappointing for people who seek an escape from the problems in their place of residence. "I am from Olešnice near Chlumec nad Cidlinou. There, it is not adapted anywhere, I can't go anywhere. I expected it to be better in Prague," said a young man, Jiří Zich, to ČTK. He was reportedly disappointed when he wanted to watch motorcycle races in Střešovice. "There were no adapted ramps for wheelchair users there. If people hadn't helped me, I wouldn't have made it there. I was sad that people only think about themselves," he said.
Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda admitted this year that "Prague has a huge debt in the area of barriers in public transport". According to the organizers, the remedy should help not only people with disabilities but also families with small children.