Travellers on suburban line 173 between Prague-Smíchov and Beroun faced an unexpected headache on Thursday, 11 December, when infrastructure manager Správa železnic ordered an immediate six-hour closure to repair a sudden track defect near Rudná u Prahy. ČD replaced all trains with buses from 09:00 to 15:00, extending typical door-to-door journeys by up to 25 minutes and forcing commuters to replan last-minute.
The line is part of the integrated Prague mass-transit system (PID S6) and a key artery for workers commuting to the capital’s western logistics parks. Although the railway carried only regional services, the disruption spilled over into road traffic: local mayors reported queuing around temporary bus stops and higher congestion on the parallel D5 motorway as motorists abandoned the train.
![Emergency track closure on Prague–Beroun suburban line triggers replacement buses]()
Before unexpected rail or road problems even arise, travellers can save time by ensuring their entry documents are in order. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) streamlines Czech visa applications, offers status notifications and delivers updated travel advisories. Whether you’re a business commuter heading to Beroun’s industrial zone or an expatriate visiting family, VisaHQ can handle the paperwork so you can focus on contingency plans like substitute buses rather than embassy queues.
For HR teams the episode is a reminder to build slack into arrival-time policies during winter maintenance season. Czech law obliges employers to record actual working hours but allows flexibility when transport delays are "beyond the employee’s control". Companies relying on just-in-time shift starts—particularly in Beroun’s automotive suppliers—should review contingency transport allowances.
Správa železnic says the repair was successful and regular rail service resumed for the evening peak, but cautionary speed limits will stay in place for several days until follow-up inspections confirm track stability. Further short-notice closures cannot be ruled out, underscoring the value of real-time mobility alerts for expatriates and frequent travellers.
The line is part of the integrated Prague mass-transit system (PID S6) and a key artery for workers commuting to the capital’s western logistics parks. Although the railway carried only regional services, the disruption spilled over into road traffic: local mayors reported queuing around temporary bus stops and higher congestion on the parallel D5 motorway as motorists abandoned the train.
Before unexpected rail or road problems even arise, travellers can save time by ensuring their entry documents are in order. VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) streamlines Czech visa applications, offers status notifications and delivers updated travel advisories. Whether you’re a business commuter heading to Beroun’s industrial zone or an expatriate visiting family, VisaHQ can handle the paperwork so you can focus on contingency plans like substitute buses rather than embassy queues.
For HR teams the episode is a reminder to build slack into arrival-time policies during winter maintenance season. Czech law obliges employers to record actual working hours but allows flexibility when transport delays are "beyond the employee’s control". Companies relying on just-in-time shift starts—particularly in Beroun’s automotive suppliers—should review contingency transport allowances.
Správa železnic says the repair was successful and regular rail service resumed for the evening peak, but cautionary speed limits will stay in place for several days until follow-up inspections confirm track stability. Further short-notice closures cannot be ruled out, underscoring the value of real-time mobility alerts for expatriates and frequent travellers.
