Transport in Lviv🚌

Features of public transport

If you ever find yourself in Lviv without a car, you must use public transport. Here are three most popular types of vehicles: trolleybuses, trams, and buses (which I divide into mini busses “marshrutka” and new buses “ electron”) because they are different, and I will explain why.

So let's start with the transport I often use - a trolley bus or a tram. I will describe them in one section because they are similar. What always catches my eye - is the drivers. Usually, these are women over 40 years old. Sometimes I think that they have a unique selection before being hired. The main requirements are blue shadows or rough black arrows on the eyes, strange shiny bright lipstick, and blonde hair burnt with cheap paint. Attention is also drawn to clothes, usually something extravagant and colourful, with rhinestones and sparkles. Many young people are always on this transport because they can use it with a student ticket, which is twice cheaper.But it often breaks down, so sometimes, you can see students running through the streets because they are late.

The next type of transport is the large "Electron" bus. These buses are new, spacious, and clean enough. Middle-aged men primarily drive them. They are neat and almost always dressed in white shirts. This is the only type of transport that it is not ashamed to show to the tourist. However, there is one disadvantage. Ukrainians often try not to pay money for travel. There are no people who control fares in Elektron. You can't find tickets for this transport either. Just give 15 hryvnias in cash to the driver and take your seat. If the driver does not notice you, there is a chance of a free ride, and it is impossible to determine whether you paid. It’s also impossible to pay the fare with a credit card. So the driver in this transport also performs the role of a cashier. Usually, this transport has three doors: the front - right next to the driver; the middle; and the back. People created it for the convenience of passengers, but in Ukraine, passenger convenience is not the main priority. At all stops, drivers open only the front doors so that all people pass by the driver and pay him money. Only then he opens another doors to allow people to exit the bus. This significantly slows the process, but there is no other way. If they had opened all the doors simultaneously, 50% of people would not have paid for the fare anyway. I have to admit that when I was a student, I often did that myself. I had little money and could save 10-15 UAH on food.

The final form of transport is very authentic. I do not recommend it to tourists unless you like extreme travel.😅These are old-style buses; we call them "Marshrutka." Electrons - new buses usually travel to popular and most frequent destinations in the city. Mini-busses are universal, and they go everywhere, even to the minor streets and outskirts of the town. Ordinary minibus drivers are men older than middle age. They are a little rough, smell like cigars and often lack teeth. There is no dress code, but as a rule, it is a sports T-shirt, shorts or pants, and sneakers. They use empty cardboard Tea boxes as cash registers. Mandatory props in mini-busses are flags and Christian icons attached to the windshield. You can see artificial flowers and old Soviet carpets covering the old rusty interior of the bus.

Their driving style is more dangerous than “Fast and Furious”.🌪Driving along the Lviv cobblestone road, you can feel as if your stomach and all internal organs are turning inside. They are always in a hurry and very often do not stop at all the stops, so you have to be very careful all the way. If you did not have time to shout to the driver, "Please stop at the stop," this is your problem.He will not feel any guilt that you passed the address you needed.

Ukrainian people are straightforward and like to talk. In our country, it is not customary to be silent in transport. In 30 minutes of travel, you can listen to everyone: political analysts and family doctors.

You can hear the voice of the people on public transport!😀

And finally: you always need to make a seat for the elderly, if you don't, a discussion starts on the bus about the young people, how ill-mannered and unscrupulous they are and that there is no future for our country with such young people.

Another feature is time. For example, in Japan, you know the exact time when the bus will arrive and when you will reach your destination. In Ukraine, it is impossible to calculate this; the bus can come in 5 minutes, in 30 minutes, or not at all. On the one hand, it is terrible and inconvenient, but on the other hand, it forces you to think, develop flexibility, and look for different ways to solve a problem. This prompts a quick change of plans, making quick decisions, and helps avoid getting lost in challenging and unpredictable conditions.

I love my city, and even with all the inconveniences, I'm looking for something positive. Maybe I can learn new information or meet someone interesting while we wait for the bus for a long time. If the tram breaks down, this is a unique opportunity to walk and enjoy the fresh air. If I'm late somewhere, maybe it's for the best, and I shouldn't be upset. I believe that every moment leads me in the right direction in life.