An otherwise glorious weekend at Susai, above Predeal (more about Susai later) was spoiled somewhat – as usual – by the traffic.
In both directions the journey (of less than 140 kilometres) took four hours. Given that there are not currently any real alternatives*, sitting in traffic has to be accepted as part and parcel of a trip to Romania’s mountains.
So, why is traffic such a problem on the DN1?
By and large in fact it isn’t a problem. (The opening of the Ploiesti by-pass has made a real difference). No, the traffic is only a problem on a certain part of the route: namely Comarnic to Busteni heading towards Brasov, and Predeal to Busteni heading towards Bucharest.
In both directions, once you have made it past Busteni it’s plain sailing, even at peak times on busy summer weekends.
Spotted the problem?
Correct: it’s Busteni.
The DN1 passes right through the centre of Busteni, and – unlike in Sinaia – there is no alternative route. As Busteni is insanely popular (we say insanely for it has always struck us as being an awfully tacky place with little appeal) the four or five pedestrian crossings in the town centre are in constant use. This means traffic has to stop every few seconds, creating – on busy days – tailbacks as far as Comarnic in one direction, and Predeal in the other.
This is madness, and very easily solved.
We see four potential solutions:
1. Build a motorway from Ploiesti to Brasov. Forget the Bucharest to Ploiesti bit for now: it really isn’t needed. Just get the mountain bit done;
2. Build a Busteni by-pass that takes the bulk of traffic out of Busteni town centre;
3. Build either pedestrian bridges or underpasses in Busteni so that people can cross the street without traffic having to stop. These are common in other towns and villages through which the DN1 passes;
4. Wipe Busteni from the map.
*The train line from Bucharest to Brasov, which passes through Sinaia, Busteni, Azuga and Predeal, is currently single-track while repairs are carried out on one of the lines. These repairs have been going on for years, and even though they look close to completion, train journey times from Bucharest to Brasov will not be reduced anytime soon: we would assume that once one side of the track has been fully repaired they will then repair the other, meaning that just the one line will still be usuable and that trains will continue to trundle along at 25kph.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
i’m guessing number 4 works for bucharest two..
Last weekend it took us exactly 5 hours from Bucharest to Brasov. We returned through the 1A, it still took 3 hours but at least we had amazing scenery and didn’t have to suffer in traffic jams all the time. I guess even we were going to Predeal it would have been faster to take the 1A to Brasov and return to Predeal than to go through the ordeal we went through.
Want to have a positive, life changing experience in Romania?
Get out of Bucharest and off of Romania’s roads this August and join me, Davin Ellicson, and Aga Luczakowska in the Maramures region of Romania 9-13 August 2010 for a week of enchantment in some of the most traditional villages left in Europe. Romania joined the European Union in 2007 and Maramures is at last changing. Come savor this rural life before it vanishes forever!
We are offering a 5 day documentary photography workshop
based in the village of Valeni where Davin has photographed since 2002
and has extensive contacts andexperience. Everyone will stay with a family and have great access to village life.
WORKSHOP FEE: €400 and includes lodging and meals.
ACCOMMODATION: homestays with families and all meals are included.
REGISTRATION: The workshop is open to any professional or committed
amateur who has knowledge of digital cameras.
Davin and Aga are professional photographers based in Bucharest.
For more information:
http://luczakowskaellicson.blogspot.com/
Really Davin, stop it. Aggressive spamming is rude. Ask Craig to post something about your course or link to it from his blog. If he says yes he is very kind. If he says no then you shouldn’t really be hijacking his blog should you?
I know you value good manners and civilised behaviour so I’m sure you will see sense.
Geronimo,
I am very sorry. Is there another blog in english about life here that you know of?
Many thanks.
Sincerely,
Davin
There are but none as good as this one. Part of the reason it is good is because it is all on topic so despite the fact that we disagree, at least we are having an interesting discussion. For better or for worse. Hijack something else. This is not your free media space.
‘there are but none as good as this one’
I might get that framed.
Yes, there should also be a forum attached to the blog where we can post off-topic…
you should have advertised in an english language newspaper, there are a few and i bet that one ad would have been enough
thanks.
My legit on-topic comment was not published, yet this spam shows up? Something’s wrong with your spam filter.
I must say that after my own rather hellish experience of driving in Romania I am dumbfounded to find the words pedestrian crossing and stop in the same sentence !
no they do stop sometimes but usually only if there’s a policemen and in in Busteni there always is. Was in BV last week had same problem coming back with the crossings. We also had to wait in Comarnic aswell for just as long
Have you tried the DN 1A through Sacele? It completely bypasses the Predeal-Busteni-Comarnic nightmare.
the 1A is fine if you are going to Brasov, but not Predeal…