Bus transport in Warsaw

Bus transport in Warsaw was introduced in 1920. Since 1994, services have been managed by Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego w Warszawie (ZTM Warszawa), and operated by various companies under contract.

History

Interwar period

In 1920, a decision was made to establish the Bus Division within the Warsaw Tramways. Initially, the routes were served by Saurer double-decker buses.

During the defense of Warsaw in 1920, buses were used to transport troops. By the end of 1921, there were five bus routes in operation, but as new tram lines were built, these routes were quickly phased out in favor of trams. The bus service was also unprofitable. In 1925, the last Line 3 was discontinued, and for four years, city buses disappeared from the streets of Warsaw.

The buses were reintroduced in 1928. In the late 1920s, many new routes were introduced (by September 1939, there were up to 23 regular lines), and a new bus depot was opened on Łazienkowska Street. In 1938, modern bus stop signs were introduced. Before the outbreak of World War II, Warsaw had 180 buses.

Second World War

During the first days of Siege of Warsaw in September 1939, bus service continued without major changes. On September 6, bus service was suspended. Following Roman Umiastowski’s radio appeal calling on men capable of fighting to leave Warsaw, approximately 80 buses departed the city. The remaining fleet, which had not been damaged by shelling or bombing, was used by the military for transport and support purposes.

Bus service was restored on 3 October 1939, initially on the route from Teatralny Square to Savior Square. Over the next dozen or so days, additional routes were launched, though their sole purpose was to replace the trams until the tram network could be rebuilt.

Operation

As of 2022, there are 302 bus lines in Warsaw and the surrounding areas, covering 4548 km.

Operators Miejskie Zakłady Autobusowe – owned by the city Depot R-1 „Woronicza” Depot R-2 „Kleszczowa” Depot R-3 „Ostrobramska” Depot R-4 „Stalowa” Depot R-6 „Płochocińska” ReloBus(formerly Arriva Bus Transport Polska) – private company Mobilis – private company KM Łomianki – owned by the city Łomianki PKS Grodzisk – private company Grodziskie Przewozy Autobusowe (GPA) – private company

Lines

Routes Type of serviceNotes100Seasonal line1xx-2xxStandard lines3xxSeasonal linesRun on weekdays during rush hour or all day long, except (for some lines) during summer and winter breaks.4xxSeasonal rapid transit linesRun on weekdays during rush hour or all day long, except (for some lines) during summer and winter breaks. As a rule, they stop only at selected stops.5xxRapid transit linesRun every day, all day long, and stop only at selected stops.7xxZone 1 and 2 lines8xxRapid transit zone 1 and 2 linesRun on weekdays during rush hour or all day, except (for some lines) during summer and winter breaks.9xxSpecial lines

Tickets

There is one ticket tariff for every mode of transportation. Tickets can be purchased at ticket machines all over the city and online.

Fleet

The Warsaw bus network comprises 1810 vehicles, including 162 electric ones and 70 hybrid ones.

History

In November 1994, the first German low-floor Neoplan N4020 was put into operation. 1999 was marked by modern and low-floor Solaris Urbino 15 buses. In 2002, MAN buses joined the Solarises.

Current

In September 2025, MZA signed a contract with Solaris for electric buses. In January 2026, MZA exercised an option to extend its September 2025 order with Solaris by bringing 79 additional electric buses. The expansion includes 50 articulated Solaris Urbino 18 electric buses and 29 Solaris Urbino 12 electric buses, bringing the total order to a further 158 zero-emission vehicles.

Fleet summary as of 1.06.2025 Model Miejskie Zakłady AutobusoweRelobus (Arriva)KMŁMobilisPKS GrodziskTotalR-1R-2R-3R-4R-6MAN NL293 Lion's City B10055MAN NG 363 Lion's City G7070MAN NG 313 Lion's City G CNG6060MAN NL 313 Lion's City CNG5050MAN Lion's City Hybrid6161Mercedes Conecto G10554159Mercedes Conecto LF3535Solaris Urbino 101415635Solaris Urbino 12104066342949228Solaris Urbino 12 CNG4040Solaris Urbino 12 Electric III and IV2012234Solaris Urbino 1815559411452402Solaris Urbino 18 CNG451554114Solaris Urbino 18 Hybrid44Solaris Urbino 18 Electric3115050132Solbus SM 104040Solbus SM 122525Solbus SM 184545Solbus SM 18 LNG3535Ursus CS12E1010Ursus CS12LF22Scania CN280UB Citywide CNG2929Otokar Vectio C3434Autosan Sancity 18LF LNG9191Yutong U121818Total309403347352558835115541758

References