Rybnik designs a bus line for seniors

It is meant to help them navigate better around the city

The Polish city of Rybnik announced on 25 June the opening of a new public transport line, addressing the needs of senior citizens. Said bus line will operate for an initial test period of 2 months and will offer seniors a convenient route to the places they visit the most.

Rybnik takes extra care of its seniors in the hot summer months

Rybnik will be trialling a bus line for seniors from 1 July to 31 August 2021. It is meant to be used by senior citizens to better meet their needs in terms of schedule (operating on weekdays between 7 AM and 4 PM, departing every hour), and to go through their most frequently visited locations in the city.

Stefania Forreiter, the chairman of the Rybnik Senior Council had this to comment on the occasion: “The launch of the A line is very good news for senior citizens from Rybnik, who have gained additional connections within the districts of Śródmieście, Rybnik Północ, Smolna and Morocco Nowiny. Older residents will have a better connection to health centres, institutions such as ZUS [the social security centre] or the City Hall, as well as to the cemetery. I hope that in the future it will be possible to launch new lines for seniors, covering other districts of the city.”

The line will operate on the usual terms applicable to the regular lines, offered by the Public Transport Authority of Rybnik. The release does not make it clear if the timing of the launch was chosen to further protect seniors from the summer heat by giving them better transport alternatives, but this can certainly be considered a positive side effect.

Should the trial be deemed successful, the line will be integrated into the public transport’s schedule permanently, ensured the authorities.