A reader asked us to publicize the issue. In an email to the editorial office, he wrote: “I travel extensively around Poland and have never seen such wrecks operating anywhere. What does a foreigner, or even a Polish tourist, feel when they see and hear what buses run through Bolesławiec! I spoke with drivers who operate these vehicles. They all say the same thing—that they should have been scrapped long ago.” What is more, our reader writes that in winter the wheels of the Autosans easily lose traction: “one wheel brakes, while the other does not. And the vehicle carrying adults and children is pulled to one side!”
“These buses are not dangerous,” counters Andrzej Jagiera, president of Miejski Zakład Komunikacji. “I can assure everyone that they do not pose a hazard on the road. As far as traffic regulations are concerned, they meet all the requirements.” At the same time, however, he admits that the Autosans are worn out and do not meet environmental standards.
There are 12 of them operating on the streets of Bolesławiec. “I would also like these vehicles to be withdrawn from service already,” emphasizes Andrzej Jagiera. The problem is that the company’s financial situation does not allow it. Removing the non-ecological Autosan buses could paralyze public transport. Last year, MZK sought EU funding to purchase six low-floor buses. The application was rejected.
New buses meeting all the requirements are expensive. “I would gladly see Solaris buses here,” emphasizes Andrzej Jagiera. However, one vehicle of that brand costs more than PLN 600,000 net. “At this stage, it is beyond the company’s means,” the president states. For this reason, MZK is considering purchasing used vehicles and looking for savings. “We are reviewing the timetables. Some routes are being discontinued, while others are being changed,” says Jagiera. Another increase in ticket prices is also possible.
(GA information)