It is a route that sounds more like a horror film than public transport. Poland has revived the controversial number 666 bus, a service that runs to the seaside town of Hel on the Baltic coast. The route, dubbed the ‘Highway to Hel’, has been a source of dark humour and genuine unease in equal measure. But this time, the return of the bus has caught the attention of UK authorities, who are questioning its implications for public safety.
For the uninitiated, the bus line 666 from the city of Wejherowo to Hel has a long and troubled history. Originally cancelled in 2006 due to protests from religious groups who argued that the number was offensive and dangerous, it was reinstated in 2018 after a public campaign. Now, as of this week, the bus is back on the roads again, and the timing could not be more sensitive.
The concern from UK officials is not about the number itself, but about the potential for copycat incidents. In Britain, we have our own issues with bus-related disorder, from gang violence to anti-social behaviour. The idea of a bus route whose number evokes satanic imagery is seen by some as an invitation for trouble. There is a fear that vulnerable individuals might be drawn to the route, either as a prank or something more sinister.
Social psychologist Dr. Emilia Kostrzewa from the University of Warsaw says the revival taps into a deep cultural anxiety. “In Poland, there is a long tradition of viewing the number 666 as a symbol of evil. The bus has become a cultural meme, a joke that people share online. But jokes can have real-world consequences. When you label a bus as the devil’s transport, you are inviting people to act out their darkest fantasies.”
On the streets of Wejherowo, opinions are mixed. Passengers queueing for the bus seem unfazed. “It’s just a number,” says Maria, a pensioner waiting to visit her daughter in Hel. “People are superstitious. But I have been on this bus many times. The only thing frightening is the price of tickets.”
But for others, the route has a darker allure. Online forums are already buzzing with plans to ride the 666 bus on Halloween. One post reads: “We are taking a group trip. Costumes optional. Must be 18+.”
The UK’s scrutiny is not entirely without merit. In 2019, a video went viral showing a group of youths on the 666 bus chanting and performing a mock exorcism. The incident prompted a police investigation, though no charges were filed. British authorities worry that similar behaviour could spill over into UK routes, especially given the ease of sharing such content on social media.
A spokesperson for the UK’s Department for Transport said: “We are monitoring the situation closely. While we respect Poland’s decision as a sovereign nation, we must ensure that public transport in the UK remains safe and free from intimidation. We are liaising with Polish counterparts to share best practices.”
The revival of the 666 bus is a reminder of how a number can become a symbol. It is also a lesson in how cultural memes transcend borders. For now, the bus continues to run, its passengers blissfully unaware of the international attention. But as Halloween approaches, British transport officials will be watching the Highway to Hel with a wary eye.
And perhaps that is the real horror story: not a bus to Hel, but the fear that our own buses might follow.
