There is no (or very limited) public transportation in Budapest. This picture I took weeks ago. The bus drivers are on strike and it has changed the life of the city a lot. You can see a lot of people walking on the streets. If there is no choice you will use what you have only…your legs. Lot of people with car are picking up others from the bus stations. Being on the streets I have an impression that the trouble caused by the strike brought something good, too. People are more open and helpful.
Zsolt, that’s nice that people are helping one another out. However, I hope the strike ends soon – we came back from our holidays last weekend and bought our monthly passes on Sunday, not knowing about the upcoming strike. My husband still gets to work, but he has to walk for nearly half an hour first to get to the tram at Huvosvolgy, then the bus to Moszkva Ter is so crowded. The public transportation system in Budapest is so good, it really makes a difference when it’s not there. Do you think it will end soon? Well, at least my husband is getting more exercise!
I think they will stop it within a few days. In the news they said the trade union and the management is closing to an agreement.
Hey Zsolt. I hope the strike ends soon for you all. I was talking to Zannie who mentioned that there was a bus being run by index.hu to help get people around which is nice. I know what you guys are going through and transit strikes are never fun. We had one in Toronto in 2008 and the city was shut down. Nobody could get to work or anything. Luckily for us we have something called the GO train (its like the HEV) that can take us to different points in the city. In 2008 when the transit workers went on strike in Toronto, the government had to tell them to go back to work because the strike caused so many problems for people. At least they told you they were going on strike. As I said to Zannie when we last had a strike here, they went on strike with 20 minutes notice. They said we will be on strike in 20 minutes and at midnight (20 minutes later) they kicked everyone off the transit vehicles leaving people stranded. Here is the video to tell you more about it if your interested. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsRDxG9tlMo
Thanks for that Zsolt, I hope it’s soon!
Wow, a strike in a major city effects a lot of people.