Trolleybus Ride

Today Mel and I went shopping at the big Oskar in a different district of the city. We decided to take the trolleybus after we saw that the marshrutka (route taxi) had just passed our stop. So, we walked on over to the big bus stop where the trolleybus we needed stops. Along the way we saw this billboard:
This is Andrei, the former pastor of our church, now involved in politics here in the city. The board is in Ukrainian and I'm not sure exactly what it says, but he now has a postion within the city dealing with children and a humanitarian aid foundation of some sort. We've heard he plans to run for mayor sometime in the future. It is not a good photo of him - he is actually much better looking than this. No further comment.

We got to the bus stop and waited for several minutes before the right numbered trolleybus appeared. It had been long enough that there were a lot of people waiting to get on it, and the trolleybus was already mostly full. I knew I did not want to stand up in the crowded vehicle because the road is quite rough and I am still not too steady on my feet in a moving vehicle. So, we stepped back and watched everyone else get on. We don't mind waiting for the next trolleybus.

As it often happens, this was the right decision. Why? Well, just as that trolleybus took off, another one of the same number pulled up behind it. There were a total of 5 people already on it, plus the woman who takes the money and the driver. I had a chuckle - we tell people often that if the trolleybus is really crowded, there is a higher than 50% chance that the next one will not be. Unless it is the middle of rush hour, then everyone is going to be maxed out to the limit and more.

Mel and I climbed on board. Only a couple other people got on and after a few seconds the trolleybus took off. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of the trolleybus from the outside. I did, however, take some photos on the inside. When there was only one other passenger, besides us, left on board, I felt free to dig out my camera and snap a few shots.

Doors we came in, closed.
Doors open at a bus stop.
Looking out the back window. We were sitting in the very back but there is an area just for standing passengers between the last seat and the window. Notice the smashed window in the lower right side. I have been on this particular trolleybus several times - the window has been smashed like that for several year.
Inside of the trolleybus, unusual view because it is almost completely empty. The woman who takes the fare is looking back at me.
Mel

This is a typical trolleybus. We saw on the Kherson news that there are some brand new ones. Unfortunately, the reporter spoke Ukrainian (while all those interviewed spoke Russian), and we aren't sure if they have been bought yet or are already in use somewhere in town. We haven't seen one yet.

It was really nice to ride in such an empty trolleybus. I am so glad we didn't get on the first one and ride smashed in with all the other people. heh heh