Buses in Vilnius

Buses in Vilnius refers to the urban bus network serving the Lithuanian capital. The service forms part of Vilnius’s public transport system alongside trolleybuses and is operated within the municipal public transport structure associated with Vilniaus viešasis transportas. On ordinary working days, the network has historically deployed as many as approximately 420 buses, while weekend service has used roughly 250 vehicles, with the actual number varying according to schedules, demand, route changes, fleet availability, and special events. The network’s institutional history begins in the aftermath of the Second World War. On November 18, 1945, the Vilnius Bus Company was established with a fleet inherited from or assembled from 17 older German and Soviet military buses. A regular route linking Žvėrynas with Vilnius Railway Station opened on March 13 of the following period, followed by two additional routes. This initial service provided the foundation for the city’s post-war motor-bus network. A purpose-built depot on Verkių Street was completed in 1964. After the restoration of Lithuanian independence, the operating company was registered in 1995 as the limited liability company Vilniaus autobusų parkas. It was renamed Vilniaus autobusai in 2003. Fleet modernization accelerated in the following years, including the purchase of 90 Volvo 7700 and Volvo 7700A buses in 2004. In 2011, Vilniaus autobusai was combined with the city’s trolleybus company, Vilniaus Troleibusai, and reorganized as Vilniaus viešasis transportas. The network underwent a substantial route reform in 2013. Some buses were stored at the second trolleybus depot in Viršuliškės, and a temporary shortage of minibuses led to the second-hand acquisition of 12 Koch minibuses from Jelgava. Fleet renewal continued in 2013 and 2014 with compressed-natural-gas buses from Solaris, MAN, and Castrosua. Between 2014 and 2017, some routes were assigned to private operators, including Transrevis, Ridvija, and Meteorit Turas. Ridvija and Meteorit Turas later ceased operating routes, while Transrevis received additional contracted work and introduced newer vehicles. A major renewal period ran from 2017 through the end of 2020. It included the retirement or scrapping of many older buses, refurbishment and repainting of selected vehicles, and purchases spanning standard, articulated, compressed-natural-gas, midibus, and electric categories. The vehicles associated with this period included Solaris Urbino buses, MAN Lion’s City buses, Anadolu Isuzu vehicles, Karsan electric minibuses, and buses used by Transrevis, including Scania Citywide and Anadolu Isuzu models. Vilnius has also operated night services at different points in its history. A night network was developed in 2006 to connect the city center with densely populated districts, but it was later suspended amid financial pressures. Night services returned on selected weekend nights in 2015. Route 88N, linking Vilnius Airport with the city center, was introduced in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the suspension of night routes in 2020; 88N returned during that summer, while other night services were later tested again in July 2022. The regular night network has subsequently been centered on 88N, with other routes used for special events or temporary programs.

The Vilnius bus system emerged in the immediate post-war period. The Vilnius Bus Company was established on November 18, 1945, with an initial fleet of 17 older German and Soviet military buses. A regular service connecting the Žvėrynas district and Vilnius Railway Station began on March 13, followed by two further routes. These services established the basic motor-bus network for the rapidly rebuilding capital. In 1964, a new depot was constructed on Verkių Street, providing a dedicated operating base for the fleet. Following Lithuania’s transition to independence, the bus undertaking was registered in 1995 as Vilniaus autobusų parkas, a limited liability company. It adopted the name Vilniaus autobusai in 2003. The fleet was modernized in 2004 through the acquisition of 90 Volvo 7700 and Volvo 7700A buses. The institutional structure changed again in 2011, when Vilniaus autobusai was merged with Vilniaus Troleibusai, the city’s trolleybus company. The combined organization was reorganized as Vilniaus viešasis transportas, bringing the city’s principal bus and trolleybus operations under a common public transport company. A significant route reform took place in 2013. Following the reform, selected buses were stored at the second trolleybus depot in Viršuliškės. The changes also created a shortage of minibuses, which was addressed through the purchase of 12 used Koch minibuses from Jelgava. Further fleet purchases in 2013 and 2014 included 19 Solaris Urbino 12 III CNG buses, 18 MAN A21 Lion’s City NL273 CNG buses, and 20 Castrosua City Versus CNG buses. From 2014 to 2017, several routes were assigned to private operators. Transrevis, Ridvija, and Meteorit Turas participated in this operating model, with Ridvija and Meteorit Turas handling minibus services among their work. Ridvija and Meteorit Turas later stopped operating routes, whereas Transrevis received additional routes and renewed its fleet. Its later vehicles included Scania Citywide LFA buses and Anadolu Isuzu Citibus buses. The most extensive recent renewal phase began in 2017 and continued until the end of 2020. Older buses were scrapped or withdrawn, some existing vehicles were repainted, and the network acquired a mixed group of newer vehicles. These included second-hand MAN A21 Lion’s City NL273 and MAN A23 Lion’s City GL NG313 buses from Oslo; Solaris Urbino 12 IV and Solaris Urbino 18 IV buses; MAN A23 Lion’s City G NG313 CNG buses; Anadolu Isuzu Novo Citi Life buses; and Karsan Jest Electric buses. The purchases broadened the fleet across conventional, articulated, gas-powered, and electric formats. Night bus operation has been intermittent. A dedicated night network was designed in 2006 to connect central Vilnius with densely populated residential areas. It initially operated throughout the night on all nights, but financial pressures led to its discontinuation. A separate night-ticket arrangement was introduced in December 2006, replacing the previous practice under which ordinary tickets were accepted and discounts applied. Weekend night services returned in 2015. Route 88N, connecting Vilnius Airport and the city center, began in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the suspension of all night routes in 2020, although route 88N returned during the summer. Other night routes were brought back temporarily in July 2022 in a ridership experiment that ended on September 4. Based on the available reference material, 88N remained the regular night route, while other night services were used primarily for special events or temporary programs.

• 2017

  Large-scale fleet renewal begins

  [1]Buses in Vilniusen.wikipedia.org

  A renewal period running through 2020 introduced new and second-hand buses, including electric minibuses.

• 2013

  Route reform and minibus acquisition

  [1]Buses in Vilniusen.wikipedia.org

  The route reform altered fleet deployment, and 12 used Koch minibuses were purchased from Jelgava.

• 2013

  Compressed-natural-gas fleet purchases begin

  [1]Buses in Vilniusen.wikipedia.org

  The network acquired CNG buses from Solaris, MAN, and Castrosua during 2013 and 2014.

• 2011

  Bus and trolleybus companies combined

  [1]Buses in Vilniusen.wikipedia.org

  Vilniaus autobusai and Vilniaus Troleibusai were joined and reorganized as Vilniaus viešasis transportas.

• 2004

  Volvo fleet expansion

  [1]Buses in Vilniusen.wikipedia.org

  The operator acquired 90 Volvo 7700 and Volvo 7700A buses.

• 2003

  Company renamed Vilniaus autobusai

  [1]Buses in Vilniusen.wikipedia.org

  The bus company adopted the Vilniaus autobusai name.

• 1995

  Bus undertaking registered as Vilniaus autobusų parkas

  [1]Buses in Vilniusen.wikipedia.org

  The operating company was registered as a limited liability company under the Vilniaus autobusų parkas name.

• 1964

  Verkių Street depot completed

  [1]Buses in Vilniusen.wikipedia.org

  A new depot was built to support the city bus fleet.

• 1946

  First regular route introduced

  [1]Buses in Vilniusen.wikipedia.org

  Regular service connecting Žvėrynas and Vilnius Railway Station began, followed by two additional routes.

• 1945

  Vilnius Bus Company established

  [1]Buses in Vilniusen.wikipedia.org

  The post-war bus undertaking was formed with 17 older German and Soviet military buses.

A municipal urban mobility service focused on scheduled bus transportation across Vilnius, complemented by trolleybuses and occasional night and event services.

• Urban bus service · 1946

  Vilnius daytime bus network

  The core scheduled bus network serving Vilnius and its districts. It uses a mixed fleet of standard-length, articulated, midibus, compressed-natural-gas, and electric vehicles. The number of buses in service changes by day type and operating requirements; the referenced description reports up to approximately 420 buses on working days and about 250 on weekends.

• Night public transport · 2006

  Vilnius night bus services

  A set of services intended to connect central Vilnius with residential districts during nighttime hours. The network has been introduced, suspended, and temporarily restored at different points. Route 88N, linking Vilnius Airport with the city center, is identified in the reference material as the regular night route, while other routes may operate for special events.

• Airport bus service · 2018

  Route 88N

  A night route connecting Vilnius Airport and the city center. It was introduced in 2018, suspended with other night services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and restored in the summer of 2020.

• 2022

  Trial restoration of additional night routesStrategy

  Background

  Additional night routes had been suspended after the COVID-19 period and were considered for a ridership test.

  Action taken

  Several night routes were restored temporarily in July 2022, with the experiment ending on September 4.

  Aftermath

  The reference material identifies route 88N as the regular night service afterward, with other night routes used for special events.

  Source

• 2017

  Multi-year bus fleet renewalGeneration change

  Background

  Many older buses required replacement or retirement after years of service.

  Action taken

  Between 2017 and the end of 2020, the network scrapped or retired older vehicles, repainted selected buses, and acquired Solaris, MAN, Anadolu Isuzu, and Karsan vehicles, including electric minibuses.

  Aftermath

  The fleet was renewed across conventional, articulated, compressed-natural-gas, midibus, and electric categories.

  Source

• 2013

  Route network reformStrategy

  Background

  The city undertook a reform of bus and trolleybus routes, affecting fleet allocation and minibus requirements.

  Action taken

  Selected buses were stored at the Viršuliškės trolleybus depot, and 12 second-hand Koch minibuses were purchased from Jelgava.

  Aftermath

  The reform was followed by changes in fleet deployment and greater involvement of private route operators.

  Source

• 2011

  Integration of bus and trolleybus operationsM&A

  Background

  Vilnius operated separate bus and trolleybus companies before the organizational change.

  Action taken

  Vilniaus autobusai was joined with Vilniaus Troleibusai and reorganized as Vilniaus viešasis transportas.

  Aftermath

  Bus and trolleybus operations were placed within a combined public transport organization.

  Source

1. 1Buses in Vilniusen.wikipedia.org