Prague Main Station has its first filtered water vending machine. Správa železnic announces plan for further installations with startup Lokni

The launching of first filtered water vending machine in Prague started the main phase of the project Plastic-Free Railway, which will be followed in the coming weeks by the launch of vending machines in Kolín, Praha-Smíchov, Hradec Králové, Náchod, Děčín, Plzeň, České Budějovice and Břeclav. In the second phase of the project, filtration stations will be installed in selected key locations in Moravia.

“The project Plastic-Free Railway and the associated filtered water vending machines are one of many steps we are taking to improve the service and comfort of our passengers, and especially as part of our long-term sustainability strategy,” says Jiří Svoboda, Director General of Správa železnic.

With this innovative project, Správa železnic brings the discussion of further sustainable transport solutions into the public space. Jiří Svoboda adds: “We expect that this project will lead to further initiatives in the field of sustainability in transport and that we will be joined by other partners and organisations that share our values, not only in the field of environmental protection.”

The first filtered water vending machine, operated by the startup Lokni, will be located in the halls or main corridors of the station buildings to make them as accessible as possible to the general public. The main aim of the project is to motivate passengers and visitors of the railway stations to reduce waste in public spaces and offer them an alternative to bottled water. Everyone will be able to fill their own bottle with quality chilled filtered water, either sparkling or still. All passengers will be able to get a free half litre of still water daily via the Lokni mobile Everyone will be able to fill their own bottle with quality chilled filtered water, either sparkling or still. All passengers will be able to get a free half litre of still water daily via the mobile application Lokni thanks to the special tariff Nádraží (Station).

It will also be possible to use other tariffs within the mobile app Lokni, which offers free tariffs in addition to paid monthly or annual tariffs. These are especially aimed at university students, who have the opportunity to draw from the tap up to 3 litres a day for free.

Price list for payment by card:
 

“We are building a network of filtration stations where people can confidently fill their own bottles with premium water instead of buying water in PET. Bottled water puts an unnecessary burden on the environment,” Martin Václavík, founder of the startup Lokni, says about the installation of the first filtration station and adds: “In the Czech Republic, we have good quality tap water, but in old or large buildings such as schools or railway stations, its sensory properties can deteriorate due to pipe material or stagnation. People often prefer overpriced bottled water. We believe that a trusted alternative source of sparkling and still water in your own bottle can make a significant contribution to reducing unnecessary waste.”

Správa železnic's tender for the project Plastic-Free Railway was won by the company Bezpetek, which submitted a bid in cooperation with the start-up Lokni. The company has completely designed the solution and will also provide all installation, administration, service, and integration of the mobile application. Správa železnic provides the construction preparations for the connection of the vending machines and power. Bezpetek pays monthly concession fees to Správa železnic and also covers all costs related to station servicing and filter replacement.

The cooperation is conceived for a period of 5 years and for 12 locations. If the concept proves to be successful, both parties do not rule out the extension of the filtration stations to other stations. As part of the Správa železnic's ESG strategy, the plan is also to inform the public about the savings in plastic waste and the effectiveness of the filter stations installed in this way.

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