Volgograd authorities link bus cold to frequent door openings
The authorities of Volgograd have commented on numerous passenger complaints about severe cold inside city buses. As stated by the municipal press service, the heating systems in vehicles purchased over the last four years are functioning normally.
The main reason given for the low temperature inside was the frequent opening of doors along the route. «Stops are located every 500–700 meters, which leads to cold outside air entering the cabin and reduces the efficiency of the heating appliances,» the administration explained.
Criticism initially concerned buses on route number 25, but in discussions residents pointed to other problematic routes.
- «Today I was going to work on bus number 55, same cold: the heater wasn»t working, my feet froze. I rode for an hour, thought I«d freeze to death.»
- «For the first time in my life, I caught a chill in a part of my body by leaning my shoulder against the icy window in bus number 21 while going home. My feet freeze regularly, and the trip lasts at least an hour!»
- «Just now I was riding on an iced-up »number two« to the center. Steam from my mouth. The inspectors asked the driver to turn on the heating, the answer: »It is on.« Then why was there steam from my mouth for eight stops?»
For the maintenance and development of public transport in Volgograd in 2026, 16.4 billion rubles ($164 million at current rates) are planned. This amount is approximately 2 billion rubles higher than the budgetary allocations of the previous year.
Earlier, last year, the city council deputies approved an increase in fares. This decision was justified by the need to modernize the vehicle fleet and improve the quality of transport services.
