Vilnius unveils nine new night bus services, to commence operation this Friday
Vilniaus viešasis transportas (VVT) is set to revolutionise night-time travel in the city with the introduction of nine new night bus routes. These new routes, effective from this weekend, will connect various districts of Vilnius, including the city centre, Saulėtekis, Pilaitė, Santariškės, Pašilaičiai, Naujoji Vilnia, Bajorų Kalvos, Grigiškės, and Vilnius Airport.
The changes aim to provide a more affordable transport option for residents, particularly those returning from late-night events, shift work, or nighttime flights. The new network will replace two existing night routes - 101N and 103N - on Friday. Two current night routes will be discontinued on this day.
Three existing bus stop names will be updated, and one new stop will be added. Notably, Jogailos stop will be split into Islandijos (A) and Islandijos (B). Centro Poliklinika stop will be renamed Islandijos (D), while the current Islandijos stop will become Islandijos (C).
A night transfer hub will be established at the intersection of Pamėnkalnio, Jogailos, and Pylimo streets. This hub will serve as a central point for all nine routes, allowing passengers to transfer between lines with a maximum wait time of nine minutes. An additional transfer point will be available in the Pašilaičiai district at Deivių stop, near Gabijos Progymnasium.
The 88N route between Europos Square and Vilnius Airport will be suspended on Friday and Saturday nights, temporarily replaced by the N8 route. On other nights, 88N will operate as normal. Buses on the routes will operate every 30 minutes on Fridays and Saturdays, and on Saturdays and Sundays.
The renaming and restructuring of stops will provide clearer orientation for passengers, ensuring smoother transfers, with at least seven minutes allocated for switching between routes. Ride-hailing services are too expensive at night, according to Judu CEO Loreta Levulytė-Staškevičienė, making these new bus lines a more budget-friendly alternative.
The changes aim to improve access to public transit and promote more sustainable and budget-friendly travel habits. Judu CEO Loreta Levulytė-Staškevičienė stated, "We believe these changes will make public transportation more accessible and affordable, encouraging more residents to opt for this environmentally friendly mode of transport."
New stops are being added along the night routes, ensuring comprehensive coverage for all districts. The new network is expected to significantly enhance the night-time mobility of Vilnius residents.
