A new two-storey train station will be built under the main railway station28/1/2025|Press releasesSpráva železnic presented to the public the future layout of the new train lines in the Prague Railway Node. The Central Commission of the Ministry of Transport selected a variant from the Feasibility Study with two separate routes in tunnels and a two-storey central station under the main station. In addition, it added four more underground stops. The demand for suburban trains in the capital has been growing. This should also be taken into account when planning other rail lines. Správa železnic therefore commissioned a feasibility study several years ago, which addresses the future layout and design of the Prague Railway Node. "The Central Commission of the Ministry of Transport selected the most suitable variant, which will include two tunnel routes in the centre of Prague totalling 10.6 kilometres and five new stations. The tunnels will intersect on two levels in the central station under the main station. One will run under the existing underpasses to the platform, the other will sit one level lower. Both parts of the station will be connected by a tunnel with escalators, the vestibules will be located at Winston Churchill Square and in the new check-in hall of the main station," says transport minister Martin Kupka. The capacity of each tunnel will be up to 16 trains per hour in each direction. "There will be underground stops in Karlín, Václavské náměstí and Karlovo náměstí plus a partially recessed stop in Florence. The new routes will help separate long-distance and regional services. This will maintain high travel convenience, with minimal impact on the environment. The estimated total cost of this variant is CZK 185 billion," says Pavel Paidar, Director of the Construction Preparation Department of Správa železnic. The intent, as approved, will now be included in Strategic Transport Plans and Správa železnic will cooperate with state institutions and local government on preparations. The Regional Zoning Plans and Urban Development Plans will have to be modified as a result of this. "The project brings new rail capacity right to the city centre and several new stops that will shorten the walking distance for passengers. The result will be not only a higher attractiveness of rail transport, but also relief of the busiest sections of public transport in the centre. Higher railway capacity will take some traffic off the roads as well. Fewer cars in the city means less emissions, less noise and a significant improvement in the environment," says Zdeněk Hřib, First Deputy Mayor of the capital city Prague for transport. The Feasibility Study of the Prague Railway Node investigated three basic proposals and two additional modifications of one of them. One alternative variant included two large stations under the main station and under the Wenceslas Square, between which trains would use a shared four-track section. The second variant envisaged one central station called Opera. The original solution of the variant selected was based on faster service with fewer stops.