Route to Hell Returns: Poland Brings Back Notorious 666 Bus Line

A Polish bus route infamous for its devilish branding is set to resume operations after a brief hiatus. The number 666 bus, which ferried tourists from Kraków to the coastal town of Hel for years, was rebranded in 2023 following complaints from Catholic organisations who claimed the route number represented anti-Catholic propaganda. The decision to change the number disappointed travellers who had enjoyed the quirky combination of the satanic number and the town’s name, which sounds identical to the English word for damnation.

The “bus to hell” had become a popular draw for tourists seeking novelty photographs. Visitors relished the opportunity to pose with the bus and caption their social media posts with jokes about heading to hell. The pairing of the number 666 — traditionally associated with evil in Christian theology — with a destination called Hel created an irresistible draw for travellers with a sense of humour.

Polish Catholic groups successfully lobbied for the number to be changed, seeing it as offensive to their faith. However, the decision proved unpopular with the general public and tourism industry figures, who recognised the route’s unique selling point. Following sustained pressure from passengers and local businesses, authorities have now reversed the decision, allowing the infamous route number to return to service. The route will once again transport tourists between Kraków and the northern Polish coastal town, complete with its cheeky religious symbolism intact.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.