Five Years of Chaos in Berane: The Bus Station Finally Opens Its Gates!
Have you ever waited for a bus at a place that looked more like a ruin than a station? If you have, you know how frustrating that can be. In Berane, citizens endured exactly that for five years – a closed bus station, traffic chaos, and uncertainty about how to get to other cities. But finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel!
Five years without a functional bus station?
It all started five years ago when the bus station in Berane was closed due to a strike, followed by the bankruptcy of the company Simon Vojaž, which was the main carrier in the northern part of Montenegro. Workers were left unpaid for two full years, and the company fell into chaos that paralyzed public transport in the region.
Berane municipality takes matters into its own hands
At the end of March this year, the Berane municipality purchased the bus station at a public auction for around 200,000 euros. The decision was unanimous, with no opposition or abstentions, as the citizens’ interest united both the government and the opposition. The local administration immediately started preparatory works, including a structural safety inspection, which showed that the platform canopy was a risk and had to be removed.
A temporary solution, but a huge relief
Starting tomorrow, the gates of the Berane bus station will be opened, and the temporary bus stop will be relocated within the station’s premises. This will allow the reception and dispatch of intercity bus lines, meaning that citizens will finally be able to safely and normally use public transport.
Although the solution is temporary, the local government is actively working on finding a permanent, modern, and functional model for organizing the bus station. This is a big step towards resolving the traffic collapse in Berane, which is a key transport hub in northern Montenegro.
Workers still seek justice
Former Simon Vojaž workers have not forgotten. They protested against the sale of nine of the company’s best buses for only 34,000 euros, which they considered unjust. They filed criminal charges with the Special State Prosecutor’s Office, demanding the return of their buses and resolution of the chaotic situation that lasted for years.
What lies ahead?
Local authorities have shown they can respond and stand on the side of the citizens. The purchase and reopening of the bus station is just the beginning. Upcoming are the construction of a new canopy, parking lot arrangements, and the overall space improvement, as well as establishing a functional public transport system that will serve the needs of the citizens.
Conclusion: Five years of waiting, but it was worth it!
Five years without a functional bus station in Berane was too long. But now, as the gates open, we can only hope this marks the beginning of a new era for public transport in this city. Have you or your loved ones faced problems due to the closed station? Share your stories, maybe together we can put even more pressure to make things better!
And don’t forget, next time you wait for a bus, remember how much effort went into reopening those gates – and maybe have a laugh at those who thought this would last forever!
