Odesa Launches New Free Bus Routes to Replace Trolleybuses Halted by War.

Odesa Revises Schedule for Its Free Community Bus Service

According to Novyny.live: Starting February 28, 2023, the city of Odesa has implemented a new schedule for its network of free social buses. This change is a direct response to the ongoing suspension of all electric public transport, including trams and trolleybuses, which has been inactive since December 2022 due to Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. To fill this critical gap, local communities from across Ukraine have organized these bus routes under the 'Shoulder-to-Shoulder' solidarity project.

Under the new schedule, these buses provide free rides for all city residents. Please note that on Sunday, March 1, 2023, the buses will undergo mandatory technical inspections, which may cause temporary disruptions to the regular service.

Free Social Bus Routes in Operation

The following free bus routes have been established in Odesa to maintain essential urban mobility:

• Route C1: 'Railway Station — 28th Brigade Street'
• Route C3: 'S. Richter Street — Digtyarna Street'
• Route C4: 'Tiraspol Highway — Digtyarna Street'
• Route 5: 'Arkadia — Railway Station'
• Route 10: 'Itzhak Rabin Street — Railway Station'
• Route 15: 'Tiraspol Square — Slobidsky Market'
• Route 17: 'Kulikove Field — 14th Station of the Great Fountain'
• Route 26: 'Architects Street — Railway Station'
• Route 27: 'Architects Street — Freedom Avenue'
• Route 3: 'Zastava I Station — Shevchenko Park'
• Route 8: 'Superphosphate Plant — Railway Station'
• Route 9: 'Inglezi Street — Richelieu Street'

Oleksandr Filatov noted that 'the previously announced date for restarting electric transport in Odesa after February 20 is no longer relevant.'

This statement confirms a significant delay in restoring the city's electric transit systems. Consequently, these new bus routes have become a vital lifeline for Odesa's residents, ensuring transportation continues despite the absence of trams and trolleybuses. The service is a crucial example of Ukrainian civil society organizing to support communities under severe strain.

The updated bus schedule addresses the urgent mobility needs of Odesa's population amid the ongoing war and crippled energy infrastructure. The provision of free fares is a critical support measure for citizens facing profound economic hardship. While these buses offer a temporary solution, the eventual restoration of the city's electric transport network remains a pressing and unresolved issue for the future.