Liberec Routes

The sole purpose of line 38, which has no intermediate stops, is to bring less mobile and elderly residents closer to the Liberec crematorium. For this they can use a small number of services per day. The number of services and the departure times change from time to time, but it is usually around 3 services a day. The number of passengers using it is also low, so some services are operated by a low-capacity bus. Conversely, around All Souls' Day the line is reinforced.

The history of this line is not yet long, nor very interesting. It was introduced on 15 October 2014 at the instigation of the city of Liberec, which granted citizens' requests for a better connection to the crematorium. The line's route occasionally changes due to closures of the surrounding streets, but the starting and terminating stops do not. Interestingly, the first timetable was circular, i.e. the bus did not wait at the U Krematoria stop and continued straight to Fügnerova. This changed after about a year of operation.

Timetable from 2014

Timetable from 2016

Timetable from 2021

From the driver's point of view this is a 'holiday line'. On weekdays some services are currently operated by the only low-capacity vehicle owned by DPMLJ, which, however, only a limited number of drivers are allowed to drive. The other services are operated by ordinary buses from various shifts. Towards the crematorium the line runs along Na Perštýně street, which has a very steep gradient and cobblestones, so slow driving is needed. On the way back it runs along U Krematoria street, so the terminus is a through one, without a turning loop or turning around. U Krematoria street is also cobbled and has a narrower profile, where it is harder to pass any oncoming vehicles. Take a look at this short trip with a SOR NS 12 #732. The trip was interesting in that on the way up a fairly heavy shower swept in.

The Liberec crematorium is, admittedly, fairly close to the city centre, but reaching it requires overcoming a considerable difference in elevation, which makes the visit harder for older and less mobile citizens. At the time of writing, the line runs along Na Perštýně street right next to the well-known Liberec crater. Its fate remains uncertain, and for many years now we have been able to gaze at an unwanted little pond inside the deep pit. After overcoming the steep, cobblestone-paved hill, the bus emerges onto the former Liberec execution ground on the Perštýn hill. Just a few hundred metres further to the right, in U Krematoria street, we reach the significant building of the Liberec crematorium.