JSP makes a ‘comeback’ on line 37, Butel residents support changes and on line 35 too

From the beginning of September, bus line number 37 will once again appear on the City of Skopje timetable, but with a changed route that via Slovenia Boulevard will directly connect Radishani and Butel with the secondary schools in Karposh and with Skopje City Mall. Meanwhile, the mayor of Butel opened a public consultation on extending line number 35 to Radishani.

Trial from August 17; full service from September 1

The President of the Council of the City of Skopje, Dame Dimitrovski, announced a change to the trajectory of line 37: "In coordination with Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski and Butel Municipality, we are bringing 37 back to the streets, but this time on a completely new route that for the first time puts Slovenia Boulevard into service and connects Radishani and Butel directly with all secondary schools in Karposh and with Skopje City Mall," Dimitrovski announced.

The City of Skopje confirmed that the line has been running on a trial basis from August 17 on the Karposh 3 – Radishani route on working days, and full inclusion and addition to the JSP timetable is expected from September 1.

Departures from Karposh 3 are at 06:40, 08:10, 14:10 and 15:40, while departures from Radishani are at 07:25, 08:55, 14:55 and 16:25. According to JSP’s statement, the bus from Radishani will travel along Radishanska Street, Butelska Street, Bosnia and Herzegovina Boulevard, Slovenia Boulevard, then Kacanic Road, Kacanic Road Service Street, 8 September Boulevard, Partisan Detachments Boulevard, and the line will end at Manapo Street. In the direction from Karposh 3 toward Radishani, the route runs along Manapo Street, Ilinden Boulevard, Bledski Dogovor Street, Partisan Detachments Boulevard, 8 September Boulevard, Kacanic Road, Slovenia Boulevard, Bosnia and Herzegovina Boulevard, then Butelska Street and ends on Radishanska Street.

The City emphasized that existing bus stops along the route are being used during the trial period, and if a need is identified, additional stops may be introduced.

— According to assessments of the situation and the needs of public transport users, JSP Skopje constantly monitors conditions on the ground and conducts analyses of transport needs. Depending on the results of the analyses and the real needs, changes to the public transport network could be undertaken in the future, including the introduction, alteration or optimization of certain lines. At the moment, there are no cutbacks or withdrawals of existing lines starting from September. Any potential changes in the future will be considered based on analyses of transport needs, line load and the interest of public transport users, — say the City of Skopje.

Butel Mayor Darko Kostovski announced that proposals to extend line 35 to Radishani have reached him and called on residents to provide their opinions: "Before we take further steps, I want to hear your opinion. I invite you to share your thoughts, proposals and suggestions for extending line number 35 to Radishani in the comments."

The post gathered a large number of reactions, mostly positive, with residents noting that the extension would help workers and students. One citizen noted that frequency should be increased and offered a solution by extending other lines: — "On the last '16' there are many buses: 2a, 13, 16, 26, 42. If some of them are extended to Radishani, Butel will gain connectivity with Kisela Voda or Drachevo, and via Zelezara there will be a connection to Autokomanda, the shopping centers and supermarkets in Aerodrom, and it will also avoid transferring at Bit Pazar for high school students," he said.

Other residents appealed for a more frequent line 57, which is often overcrowded. JSP and the City will now analyze the trial period data and residents' proposals before making final decisions.

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