Travel concessions for EU senior citizens

Discussion in 'Travel Tips & Advice' started by padraig, Mar 22, 2009.

  1. padraig

    padraig Active Member

    Can anyone tell me if they know of travel concessions in Cezch rep. for any EU senior citizen or does it apply only toCzech residents. Hungary for example offer free travel to anyone over 65.
     
  2. bibax

    bibax Well-Known Member

    There are not uniform tariff rules in the CR. Every city/transport company has its own rules. Essentially there are two disjunct categories of the seniors:

    1) 60-70 years old (average discount 50%)
    2) over 70 years (free)

    But usually they need a special ident. card (e.g. a special "senior pass" or personal OpenCard in Prague, see www.dp-praha.cz). I believe it is applicable for all EU seniors as well as for all permanent residents (not only from EU), but certainly not comfortable for tourists.
     
  3. padraig

    padraig Active Member

    Thank you Bibax for your reply.
    I am an Irish Senior Citizen and I travel to Prague every six weeks so it would be useful to have a pass. Are you saying that i can apply for one for Prague?
    Regards
    Padraig
     
  4. bibax

    bibax Well-Known Member

    Yes, ask special "SENIOR 60-70" card (you need photo 3.5x4.5 cm, passport, 20 CZK), which is valid only for Prague public transport (zone P). Another possibility is OpenCard (opencard.praha.eu).

    If you are over 70 you need only your passport (IMHO).
     
  5. padraig

    padraig Active Member

    Thank you again, bibax, for that piece of good news. It will save me some money. One more question, please, bibax, who do i apply to for the card?
    Many thanks again.
    Padraig
     
  6. bibax

    bibax Well-Known Member

    :? I don't understand the question completely. I guess you want to know where or by whom the card is issued.

    The card is issued, for instance, by Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy, a.s.

    Address: Centrální dispečink MHD, Na Bojišti 5, Praha 2 - Nové Město

    (the street Na Bojišti is located hard by I. P. Pavlova)
     
  7. padraig

    padraig Active Member

    Thank you again, bibax, for your help I am going to apply for a PIT card. I dont think I can download the application form so a Czech friend will collect it at the address you gave me. It is a good saving as it will cost me 250 CK for a 30 day pass. I think it may be better value than an Open Card.
    Thanks again
     
  8. magan

    magan Well-Known Member

    Please note re 1/2 price Metro pass or even free after you are 70:

    About month ago I went with a friend to get her Senior card so she can buy 1/2 price Metro pass for seniors. I knew that they will require proof that she is retired and receiving pension and she had that from her country (I translated it to Czech and had it Notarized). She has residence permit for CR so I thought that it will work as she is not a "tourist". OUCH. It can only be senior with pension given by Czech Republic to Czech citizen. So - no hope of ever getting that for her.
     
  9. bibax

    bibax Well-Known Member

    Answer of the SOS (Sdružení obrany spotřebitelů):

    If you are over 60 no proof that you are retired is required.
     
  10. magan

    magan Well-Known Member

    Great info! Thanks.
     
  11. bibax

    bibax Well-Known Member

    You must distinguish the categories "Důchodce" (Pensioner), "Senior 60-70" and "Občan v hmotné nouzi" (Citizen in indigence). Pensioner obviously is not equal to Senior 60-70. The "Pensioner" PID-cards are not issued since 2008, they were replaced by the "Senior 60-70" PID-cards (the only requirements: age and EU citizenship). If you are a pensioner under 60 you can still be "občan v hmotné nouzi" (probably restricted to Czech citizens), in such case you'll need a proof.

    I must correct one of my previous posts:
    The seniors over 70 need the "Identifikační" PID-cards (passport is insufficient).

    The PID-cards for seniors are probably a constriction against tourists and maybe they are useful for statistics and planning.

    PID = Pražská integrovaná doprava (Prague Integrated Transport)
     
  12. padraig

    padraig Active Member

    Prague transpoprt have confirmed that any EU citizen over 60 is entitled to a PIT card and 50% reduction. All you need is proof of identity and an address where you would be staying during the course of your visit. You do not need to be in receipt of a pension from any country. Ignore that section in the application form.
    Hope this helps to clarify the situation and thanks to all who replied to my original post.
    padraig
     

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