Fares within the Prague Integrated Transport System (PID)

This thesis deals with the issue of tariff integration of rail transport in the Prague Integrated Transport (PID) system, focusing on its functionality, clarity, and price consistency from the perspective of passengers. The aim of the thesis is to analyze the functioning of fare integration of rail transport within the PID and, based on the identified shortcomings, to propose measures to improve this system. The theoretical part of the thesis defines the basic principles of integrated transport systems, fare structures, and the specifics of rail transport within the PID. The practical part is based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis. The research includes a price comparison of selected railway routes, comparing the PID fare with the fares of individual carriers, and a questionnaire survey among PID users focused on the perception of the clarity and comprehensibility of the fare system. The results of the work show that the tariff integration of rail transport in the PID is not always clear from the passengers' point of view and in some cases may seem confusing, especially in situations where there are multiple tariff options on the same routes. Based on the findings, measures are proposed to unify fare principles and increase the transparency of the system. The contribution of the work is the identification of specific problematic areas of PID fare integration and the formulation of proposals that can be used in further expert discussions and in the decision-making practice of transport organizers.