Reykjavík’s old city centre, called Þingholt, or Parliament Hill, is full of interesting architecture and charming, narrow streets. In the past decade, the neighbourhood has also seen a massive increase in construction of hotels and guesthouses, which has caused some minor friction between the residents and tourism businesses – especially when it comes to frequent hotel pick-ups and drop-offs. The small streets make it challenging for coach drivers to get around and it is not always easy to find a place to stop or park.
Read more: 10 reasons to love Reykjavík
Hjálmar Sveinsson, director for Reykjavík City’s Department of Environment and planning which, among other things, oversees the city’s planning and construction affairs in cooperation with the planning committee, says it’s essential to create a stricter set of rules regarding coach travel in the old city centre. Coaches that accept 20 passengers or more are not allowed in the area, but some bus drivers seem to be either badly informed or simply choose to ignore that rule, as became evident last weekend, when a large passenger bus became stuck in Þingholtsstræti street. Not being able to make the narrow bends, the driver was forced to reverse 450 metres (1,476 ft) out of the neighbourhood.
Musician Halldór Bragason, who lives in the area, published a video of the driver desperately trying to inch his way out of the tight corner he had found himself in. According to Morgunblaðið newspaper, Halldór feared that the bus would drive into his home at one point.
A designated drop-off spot is located on Lækjargata street, less than 200 metres (656 ft) from where the driver was to pick up his passengers.
Reykjavík’s old city centre, called Þingholt, or Parliament Hill, is full of interesting architecture and charming, narrow streets. In the past decade, the neighbourhood has also seen a massive increase in construction of hotels and guesthouses, which has caused some minor friction between the residents and tourism businesses – especially when it comes to frequent hotel pick-ups and drop-offs. The small streets make it challenging for coach drivers to get around and it is not always easy to find a place to stop or park.
Read more: 10 reasons to love Reykjavík
Hjálmar Sveinsson, director for Reykjavík City’s Department of Environment and planning which, among other things, oversees the city’s planning and construction affairs in cooperation with the planning committee, says it’s essential to create a stricter set of rules regarding coach travel in the old city centre. Coaches that accept 20 passengers or more are not allowed in the area, but some bus drivers seem to be either badly informed or simply choose to ignore that rule, as became evident last weekend, when a large passenger bus became stuck in Þingholtsstræti street. Not being able to make the narrow bends, the driver was forced to reverse 450 metres (1,476 ft) out of the neighbourhood.
Musician Halldór Bragason, who lives in the area, published a video of the driver desperately trying to inch his way out of the tight corner he had found himself in. According to Morgunblaðið newspaper, Halldór feared that the bus would drive into his home at one point.
A designated drop-off spot is located on Lækjargata street, less than 200 metres (656 ft) from where the driver was to pick up his passengers.
