More than 2,000 residents without urban transport in the Pyjore area near Zvërnec

On the outskirts of Vlorë, the lack of urban transport remains an unsolved problem for residents of the Pyjore area. For years, the bus has stopped at the former Caustic Soda area and does not continue further, towards Nartë and Zvërnec. To use public transport, residents have to walk hundreds of metres to the nearest stop.

They say the service is essential, as they have no other alternatives for travelling to their destinations. The lack of suitable stops makes waiting even harder, especially on days with high temperatures, rain or mud.

“It should have left 10 minutes ago. It has its terminus here; in the end we are at Plazhi i Vjetër, we come and wait until it arrives, without knowing — that is how the traffic is. What can we do, it is difficult. It has always been like this. This is the last one. Those over there come on foot; it is bad here in the heat, bad in winter, in the mud,” said one resident.

Besides the residents, urban transport would also be an important opportunity for domestic and foreign tourists visiting the areas of Nartë and Zvërnec. Residents believe extending the line would make it easier for holidaymakers to move around and would increase the number of visitors choosing these destinations.

“As far as I have seen, there are no city buses; they do not work for tourists. It is a problem. The level of tourists would rise, but there is no municipality. Everyone has it. In season, the bus is essential for everyone. There would be twice as many people this way. Some come by car, some by bicycle, like me. A city bus would boost it a lot,” another citizen says.

More than 2,000 residents live along the Pyjore area, part of the “24 Maji” neighbourhood, according to the data, and in the absence of urban transport they are forced to move on foot, by bicycle or to use taxis. The bus line does not even cover the whole segment inside the Soda Forest, which leads towards Nartë and Zvërnec.

Residents are asking the responsible institutions to intervene to expand the urban transport route and to place stops along the area. According to them, such a service would ease the community’s daily life and improve access to some of Vlorë’s tourist areas.