Double decker buses are now running in Ostrava, the first of their kind in the Czech Republic

Double decker buses have made their debut in Ostrava, the first city in the Czech Republic to have the big buses, according to a report in Polar.cz.

The two new bright blue double decker buses will operate the brand new Line 88 between Ostrava's Poruba and Hrabová districts three times a day, Monday to Friday. Line 88 runs close to Line 78, which operates from Globus to Hrabová.

"Driving in that double decker really gives passengers a completely different perspective," Daniel Morys, Ostrava Transport Company's director, told Polar.cz. "Especially on line 88."

Line 88 was initially set to launch over the summer to connect the Lower Vítkovice area to the ZOO, but the launch was postponed due to the pandemic.

The Ostrava Transport Company had the double decker buses custom built in Spain for almost 30 million crowns to fit the city and their height restrictions.

They're not exactly like London's famous double decker buses. These buses are around 30 centimeters shorter than the London variety to ensure they can pass under all obstacles in the city.

The bus drivers have been training to drive the buses at traffic speeds.

"The control is almost the same as on another classic bus," Vladimír Kokrda, one of the bus drivers, told Polar.cz. "One just has to be careful about the height and the trees that are along the way.

In addition, the roof of the vehicles is made entirely of glass and glued together with a special foil which helps the buses from overheating. There is no air conditioning on the observation floor of the bus. The bus comes equipped with WiFi and USB plugs.