The city is preparing to open a new bus line in the very center of Krakow. The small buses running along it would take passengers along the streets of the historic Old Town, incl. ul. Sławkowska, Szpitalna and Mikołajska.
The final route for the new line has not yet been mapped out. Remember that inside the Planty, we do not have any public transport on Franciszkańska and therefore people with reduced mobility may have a problem with getting around, so we focused on the northern part of the very center. As a pilot, the line could run on streets with traffic. An example route is the following streets: Sławkowska, Pijarska, św. John, then St. Thomas or St. Marka to Szpitalna Street, then ul. Mikołajska, Westerplatte, to the Main Post Office, and then turn into ul. Sienna, St. Cross to St. Ducha, where the bus would take you to ul. Basztowa to the “Stary Kleparz” stop.
Sebastian Kowal from the Public Transport Authority in Krakow
Focus on the elderly living in the Old Town
He admits that the new line would be introduced especially for the elderly, those living within the Planty area, as well as those commuting to the very center. Currently, you can get there by tram, e.g. to the stop at the Main Post Office, and then if someone wants to get to the Main Market Square or its surroundings, you have to go on foot. After introducing a new bus route, it will be possible to drive, for example, to ul. Mikołajska or St. John. Other passengers, including tourists, will also be able to use this line.
“We are planning to start the piloting of the new line only when the center is unfrozen. We are currently hearing about another lockdown. However, if the new line is fully developed and the epidemiological situation is such that, for example, restaurants will be opened in the center, the new solution could be introduced in the second quarter of this year“ – explains Sebastian Kowal.
Karsan mini-busses to the rescue!
Karsan mini-buses will run on the new route (with a frequency of about 20 minutes). Recently, Krakow has purchased 2 vehicles of this type and their presentation took place.
Karsany are the smallest buses in the MPK SA fleet in Krakow. On March 10, one of them joined the vehicles used to operate the Tele-bus, the popular telephone bus. A day later, the second vehicle will start transporting passengers on the line No. 176 “Bodzów” – “Kostrze OSP”.
Karsans are vehicles with a length of 5.8 meters. Inside there is room for 21 passengers. – The biggest advantage of the Karsans is their small size and high maneuverability. These features are perfect for narrow streets, small intersections and turning loops, which drivers have to deal with on line 176. The maneuverability of the mini-bus will also work well on the roads of Płaszów and Rybitw, where the Tele-bus service is available – emphasized in the office.
The high maneuverability of the Karsans is evidenced by the turning radius of these buses. It is only 6.8 meters. Compared to a standard bus with a length of 12 meters, it is almost 2 meters smaller.
Apart from the maneuverability advantages of the Karsans, the vehicles are also passenger-friendly. They have a low floor, and for people in wheelchairs, there is also a special place inside the vehicles and a folding platform by the door. The vehicles were also equipped with a passenger information system, air conditioning, and USB ports for charging batteries for phones, tablets, and other mobile devices.
With the driver’s comfort in mind, the door has been designed exclusively for the bus driver. Panoramic windshield and large mirrors provide good visibility for drivers.
For two mini-buses, the city paid 812 thousand. PLN net.
Yours truly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug
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