The city of Prague will defend its case for CZK 7bn in subsidies from the European Union it plans to use on the extension of the A line metro. The city promised to complete a study that will show to what degree the city has met EU conditions attached to the subsidies, which would cover more than a third of the CZK 20bn infrastructure investment. Deputy mayor Petr Dolínek says the study is merely a preventive measure and he’s certain the criteria have been met. “I have had no signals that the subsidies could be threatened,” he said. However, among the conditions needed for the metro’s ability to meet its EIA conditions is the construction of a bus station and a new P+R parking facility. Preparations for these facilities have not even begun, though the metro’s 6km extension, with four new stations, is due to begin trial operations on April 6. Work on the project began in 2009.
