Polish authorities have confirmed the resurrection of the infamous bus route 666, a service that ferries passengers from the northern city of Wejherowo to the coastal resort of Hel. The route, dubbed the ‘Highway to Hel’ by locals, was suspended last year after a spate of accidents and a viral social media campaign that labelled it a ‘devilish’ journey. Now, with the summer season approaching, the Polish government has quietly reinstated the service, sparking warnings from travel safety groups.
Sources close to the Polish transport ministry confirm that the route was revived after pressure from regional tourism boards. ‘The number 666 has become a morbid attraction. Tourists flock to take selfies with the bus sign. We cannot afford to lose that revenue,’ an official told this journalist, speaking on condition of anonymity. But critics argue that the route’s grim reputation is more than superstition. Uncovered documents from the local road authority reveal that the road to Hel suffers from poor maintenance, with sharp bends and inadequate lighting. The bus company, PKS Gdynia, has faced at least three negligence lawsuits in the past two years.
For British tourists, the revival is a particular concern. The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Poland, urging ‘caution when using local bus services, especially on routes with known safety issues.’ But the warning may be too late. Budget airlines have already sold thousands of seats to northern Poland, and travel agencies are marketing the ‘Hell-themed’ bus rides as a quirky attraction.
This is not the first time a number 666 bus has courted controversy. In 2016, a similar route in the UK was renumbered after complaints from Christian groups. Poland, however, has taken a different approach. ‘They are cashing in on sin,’ said Father Jan Kowalski, a local priest who has campaigned against the route. ‘It is a mockery of faith and a danger to passengers.’
Yet the economics are hard to ignore. The route passes through areas of high unemployment, and the bus service is a lifeline for residents who cannot afford cars. One local, Marta Zielinska, told me: ‘I don't care about the number. I just need to get to work. The alternative is a two-hour walk.’
The deeper story here is about unaccountable power. The decision to reinstate the route was made in consultation with tourism officials but without a full safety review. Documents obtained by this newspaper show that a 2023 risk assessment recommended closing the route permanently, but that advice was ignored. ‘Public safety is being traded for tourist euros,’ said a former transport department insider.
So, as British tourists book their bargain flights to Gdansk and queue for the bus to Hel, they might want to think twice. The highway to Hel is paved with good intentions, but the destination may be a crash. Sources close to the Polish police confirm that emergency services have been placed on stand-by for the route's first week back in service.
In a statement, PKS Gdynia denied any safety concerns, saying the buses are ‘meticulously maintained’ and the route is ‘as safe as any other in Poland.’ But with documents showing a history of corners cut and warnings ignored, the only number that matters is the one on the black box after the crash.
