Vilnius faces potential transport collapse this autumn

Vilnius is already short of dozens of buses and trolleybuses. This autumn, Lithuania's capital could lose up to 300 public transport trips, revealed at a recent meeting.

The problem is much more serious than it appears. Even a shortage of several dozen buses and trolleybuses could lead to the cancellation of 250–280 trips across several dozen routes on weekdays. Waiting times could increase by 9–11 minutes, and vehicles will become more overcrowded.

Municipal services in Lithuania cite several reasons why the issue remains unresolved:

▪️ aging fleet and frequent breakdowns

▪️ lack of spare parts

▪️ limited repair capacity

▪️ poor repair organization

▪️ staff shortages and departure of experienced technical specialists.

To extend the life of the old fleet, buses and trolleybuses from 2018–2020 are being dismantled for parts.

Meanwhile, military spending in Lithuania continues to rise.