The Old Tram Station

Trams are not as common as they used to be here in Toruń. We now only have a few lines which basically run between east and west of the city connecting the district of Rubinkowo with the old town. Up to the early 1970s there used to be a tram line that ran right down the middle of Ul. Szeroka in the old town. That has long since gone. These pictures are of the old tram station to the west of the old town. Today it's now the main depot and is also where you have to go to pay a fine for forgetting to have a ticket! It's interesting to see the snow ploughing tram. Poles certainly know how to tackle the winter!

The Two Trams

Tram number 3 (in the foreground) waits for the green light to allow access onto the track which is currently being used by tram number 2. Tram line 3 will take passengers from the east of Toruń past the zoo and Bydgoska Park to the west of Toruń. Tram line 2 goes from the east to the speedway stadium. A tram ticket is the same price as a bus ticket (currently 2,70PLN).

The World's Largest Plane over Poland

Against a bright blue backdrop, an Emirates A380 (the world's largest plane) jets past over Toruń...on its way to Dubai. Would love to have a flight on this!

All Aboard the Long Distance Coach

You don't just catch trains from Toruń Miasto train station. Outside the main entrance, long-distance coaches depart on a daily basis to a variety of destinations around Europe. The main coach company these days is Sindbad which recently took over the former competitor Orbis Transport.

Ferry Across the Vistula

For years there has been a boat ferrying Torunians across the small stretch of the Vistula to see the picture postcard panoramic view of the old town. This is the original Katarzynka ferry which is now a static historical monument. During the summer months you can hop on its replacement which is called originally...Katarzynka II!!

The Polish Fiat: Maluch

This tiny car is the infamous Polski Fiat 126p which was produced in Poland from 1972 up to as recently as 2000. It is popularly known as a 'Maluch' which literally means small one or toddler! Due to it's relatively low price it was the most popular car in Poland during the 1980s. You can still pick up a Maluch...and they are still very cheap (but maybe not so safe!!).

Theme Day: Edges

It's that time of the month again...the City Daily Photo Theme Day...and today it's all about edges. Thought that this photo of Toruń's slick and modern bus station is the perfect example to reflect edges. How many edges can you count?

For all the other theme day posts around the world please click the link.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

On board the Night Train!

This shot was taken this evening on board an ARRIVA train heading through the Polish wintry countryside towards Toruń Glowny. It was bang on time...and cheap as chips, but lengthy ticket queues at the station.

The Bus Seat

Got on one of the new city buses today and was surprised to see that it has colourful, new seats complete with pictures of some of Toruń's historic buildings. A nice touch!

The Tramway

Toruń has a couple of main tram lines...but 30 years ago it had more (including one which went right through the Old Market Square). Tickets to ride on a tram cost 2,50PLN and are the same price as a city bus. Make sure you buy them before hand and get it punched in the on board machine. Failure to do so will result in a costly fine!

Bus station at night

This is the central hub of all Toruń's buses. You can even hop on a coach all the way to England from here!

The End of Ryanair in Bydgoszcz?

Financial disputes have cast an air of uncertainty over the future of Ryanair flights from Bydgoszcz airport. The latest is that Ryanair will suspend all their flights from the airport from the end of June. If that's the case it will be a major spanner in the works for Toruń's tourism which does depend on Bydgoszcz being it's closest airport (albeit a minor one).

Bydgoszcz Ignacy Jan Paderewski Airport (http://www.plb.pl/index.php?lang=en), lies about 45kms west of Toruń (accessible by train, coach or bus connections). Situated in a clearing in a forest, the airport has daily flights to London Stansted, Dublin, Düsseldorf-Weeze, Liverpool, Birmingham, East-Midlands and Bristol.

The plane in the top image was the inaugural Ryanair flight from Bristol to Bydgoszcz which took place 3 days ago. TORUŃ DAILY PHOTO were on board for the occassion!! A great service...will be a big shame if it all disappears due to bloody money!!!

The Bridge

Toruń's one and only pedestrian/traffic bridge has been standing over the Vistula since the 1930's. It often gets blocked with immense tailbacks and for anyone living on the southern side of the river, delays are often inevitable. A 2nd bridge has been on the cards for many years. And it is still just that...on the cards. The plans are in place...but the latest news is that the project is currently without an engineer. Watch this space!

Homeward Bound (in ALL weathers!)

Toruń's main bus station is always the centre of activity...even when its way below zero and loads of snow! This is the main point of call for local commuters coming into Toruń by bus. Most tourists arrive by train to the station from Warsaw.

Tourist Transport

Summer is on its way...and so are the Tourists! Here in the Old Market Square you can see two different types of vehicles to take the tourists around. First up is a motorised golf buggy (a rather new addition to town) and the second is a bike taxi (which speed around the pedestrenised streets almost knocking you down!). A few years back they used to have horse and carriage as well...but they have long since gone.

Most tourists come from neighbouring Germany. At the moment, Toruń still doesn't get too many tourists from the UK and the USA.