Vilnius traffic among Europe's worst

Drivers in Vilnius face significant traffic challenges, with the Lithuanian capital ranking twelfth for the most complex traffic among European major cities, according to a recent study by "Compare the Market." The findings suggest that navigating the city's congestion is a daily struggle for many residents.

“

Everything is dug up, re-dug, and it's quite difficult sometimes to break through all these traffic jams.

The study indicates that drivers covering a standard ten-kilometer round trip can lose as much as 121 hours per year stuck in traffic during peak hours. This amounts to nearly five full days annually spent stationary, surpassing the time lost in traffic jams in neighboring Polish cities like Warsaw and Krakow. One Vilnius resident described the commute, stating, "If the office was 20 kilometers from home, it would take about three hours a day."

However, Vilnius's transport company, "Judu," offers a different perspective. Evaldas Morkūnas, head of the traffic management and organization department at "Judu," asserted that Vilnius's traffic situation is not uniquely difficult when compared to other cities. He explained that as a growing and developing city, experiencing traffic congestion is natural. "Vilnius is a growing city and naturally, a growing, developing city also has traffic jams," Morkūnas said.

“

If the office was 20 kilometers from home, it would take about three hours a day.

Experts, including Vytautas Grigonis, an associate professor at "Vilnius Tech," argue that the city's rapid expansion necessitates more robust measures to improve traffic flow. Grigonis pointed out that Vilnius has a relatively low street density and few alternative routes, emphasizing the need for infrastructure development to keep pace with urban growth. "Judu" acknowledged that street development is planned, but currently, the focus is on repairs and other methods to enhance traffic conditions, such as intersection reconstruction and new traffic lights.

“

Vilnius's traffic is not particularly difficult, compared to other cities. Vilnius is a growing city and naturally, a growing, developing city also has traffic jams.

The study also noted that the most accidents occur on Savanorių Avenue and Geležinio Vilko and Ozo streets, with Ukmergės Street identified as the most problematic. Vaiva Mickevičė from Lietuvos Draudimas reported approximately 780 accidents on Ukmergės Street last year, significantly more than on Savanorių Avenue. Discussions about implementing trams or metro systems for better connectivity have been ongoing, though concrete plans for these large-scale projects are not yet underway.

“

The street density, compared to other cities, is relatively low. There are also few alternative routes. The fact is that as the city grows, infrastructure must be developed.