The last bus
Pinega region of Northern Russia is a place where anything has the potential to become “the last” in retrospect. Here’s a bus that suffered this fate.
A simple and bleak offspring of Pavlovo bus factory (PAZ), for decades it served as a key player in the fragile eco-system of villages, giving the people a semblance of freedom of movement. It operated several days a week and connected the district center with a dozen of villages located down the river. It allowed people to travel for such essential necessities as visiting a doctor, buying houseware and clothing, seeing a bank clerk or a lawyer, coming for a summer festival.
Not always the bus was able to reach the village itself. On this picture the passengers get off and walk over 2 km across the river and then up the hill to get home.
March 2009. Pirinem, 41 km from the district center Karpogory
A large timber enterprise was built in the area a few years ago. Instead of bringing improvement to the region, it only sucked out the last resources. The bus company that was in charge of public transportation, began providing services for the enterprise. Obviously, the timber magnate pays better than a bunch of starving seniors from the villages.
There is no bus for the villagers anymore. The public transportation is halted altogether. The majority of those who live in the villages don’t own a car, and their last resort when they need to go see a doctor is booking a taxi, but the prices are outrageous. For most people it takes 2-3 round trips to the district center to run out of monthly pension which is their only source of income.
Warming up after a chilling night
December, 2010. Kusogora, the final stop of the bus, 52 km away from the district center Karpogory
In my first several trips to Pinega I traveled by this bus a lot. Nikolay, the driver, recognized me a year after my previous trip and remembered where I need to get off. People often asked Nikolay to deliver something. On this picture he’s delivering from the district center a spare part for someone whose car broke down. Charging money for this service was out of question for Nikolay, of course. Nikolay was everyone’s friend.
March, 2009. Shotogorka, 33 km away from the district center Karpogory
December, 2010. Kusogora village, the final stop of the bus, 52 km away from the district center Karpogory
October, 2011. Near Shasta village, 45 km away from the district center Karpogory
March, 2009. Pirinem, 41 km away from the district center Karpogory
October, 2011. Near Shasta village, 45 km away from the district center Karpogory
October, 2011. Cheshegora village, 38 km away from the district center Karpogory