SUMMARY

The project in a nutshell

• On June 2, 2022, the City of Dresden donated three excellently preserved and refurbished city buses to the City of Butscha, including their transport—fully loaded with relief supplies. The buses were personally handed over in Butscha on June 16, 2022.

• The project was initiated and coordinated in April 2022 by Gigahertz Ventures together with friendly Butscha city councillors (first and foremost Ms. Alevtina Morozova) and Dresden politician Holger Zastrow. The starting point and inspiration was our project “Buses of Hope.”

• The main goal was to quickly provide hope and support to the people of Butscha after the withdrawal of Russian troops and the revelations of atrocities and destruction in April 2022—to show: you are not alone.

• Following Dresden’s example, other cities also donated buses later on, such as the city of Bergisch Gladbach (Butscha’s sister city).

• The buses gave the initial impulse to establish the municipal transport company “ButschaTransService.” Today, the buses operate in regular public service.
  

mdr Aktuell (German TV) about Buses for Bucha. June 12, 2022

BUSES FOR BUCHA

The Project Milestones

• In April 2022, images from the Ukrainian city of Bucha shocked the world. Following the withdrawal of Russian troops on March 31, over 1,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged, the infrastructure was in ruins, and the population deeply traumatized. More than three-quarters of the residents had fled, and war crimes committed by Russian forces came to light.

• Through Gigahertz Ventures’ connection with Bucha via the “Bus-loads of Hope” project, a bridge to Dresden was built in April 2022. Together with politician Holger Zastrow and allied city councillors (first and foremost Ms. Alevtina Morozova) and entrepreneurs from Bucha, the idea for “Buses for Bucha” was born.

• A key goal was to help quickly restore essential infrastructure—and to demonstrate unity and swift action. As we see it: Talk is cheap - let's DO it!

• In May 2022, the FDP parliamentary group submitted a proposal to the Dresden City Council to donate city buses to Bucha.

• On June 2, 2022, the council unanimously approved the donation of three city buses, in the presence of Bucha city councillor Ms. Alevtina Morozova—a rare show of full cross-party agreement.

• With the help of Dresden’s public transport company DVB, Sachsenland Transport & Logistik GmbH, the German Red Cross, the Saxon State Chancellery, and many others, the transfer of the buses was prepared in just a few days.

• The entire project, from idea to completion, was realized in record time—within a few weeks. Especially during wartime and given the complexity of the involved partners, such projects typically take months to prepare and execute. All those involved, especially Dresden's city administration, demonstrated what is possible.

• Gigahertz Ventures GmbH coordinated both the preparation and the transport of the buses from Dresden to Bucha.

• The buses did not travel empty. Following a motion by the Pirate Party (Piratenpartei) in the Dresden City Council, options for transporting relief supplies were explored. This was no easy task, as it significantly complicated customs logistics. After extensive negotiations at the Polish-Ukrainian border, the buses finally arrived in Bucha fully loaded with medical supplies and protective vests.

• On June 16, 2022, the three well-preserved and refurbished city buses were personally handed over in Bucha by Holger Zastrow and Stefan Schandera (Gigahertz Ventures) to the city’s mayor, Mr. Anatoly Fedoruk.

• All supporters, drivers, and coordinators on both the Ukrainian and German sides worked on a voluntary basis. Only minimal administrative costs were incurred—ensuring that the aid reached those in need in full.

• Thanks to our partners in Bucha, we always felt safe and, above all, very warmly welcomed.
  

HOW THE BUSES ROLL TODAY

The Bucha Public Transport Company is born

• Starting in July 2022, the buses were initially used in the greater Bucha area for urgent humanitarian purposes—for example, to transport children and elderly people to and from Bucha from surrounding communities.

• Following Dresden’s example, additional buses from Bucha’s partner city, Bergisch Gladbach, were soon expected to follow.

• However, it quickly became clear that the necessary conditions for operating the buses as part of a regular city transport system were lacking.

• After extensive planning and consideration, the City of Bucha therefore founded its own municipal transport company, “BuchaTransService,” in spring 2023.

• The Dresden buses are now in operation as regular public transit buses. They serve not only the city of Bucha itself but the entire Bucha district, reaching all the way to the outskirts of Kyiv. We are pleased with this development and proud to have contributed in our own small way.

NEWSBLOG

Reunion with the Buses and Our Friends in Bucha

May 27, 2023

As already reported in our previous post (April 27, 2023; see below), the buses are now operating as part of the public transport system in Bucha District, running regular routes. During our visit to Bucha on May 27, 2023, we were able to witness this firsthand—as well as the ongoing reconstruction of the city and the region.

The energy and determination of the people to rebuild are truly overwhelming, especially given that Kyiv and the Kyiv Oblast (where Bucha is located) are still being attacked almost every night.

This time, our journey was organized together with BACB e.V. (Business Angels Club Berlin-Brandenburg) and took us to Lviv, Kyiv, Bucha, and Odesa. We also participated in a joint event with the Academy of Sciences, the Kyiv Oblast, and the Bucha District. The goal of the event was to explore opportunities for economic cooperation.

One particularly moving moment was our visit to a military cemetery in Bucha. This carefully maintained cemetery is, sadly, still growing every day—as the many fresh graves showed. Many of the headstones bore birthdates of very young fallen soldiers. From the bottom of our hearts, we wish that the killing of both soldiers and civilians in Ukraine will soon come to an end.



Bucha Founds Its Own Municipal Transport Company

April 27, 2023

Almost a year ago (in June 2022), we—together with Holger Zastrow from the FDP—brought three buses to the city of Bucha. The buses were donated by the City of Dresden.

The goal was to support the reconstruction of Bucha. Initially, the buses were mainly used for social purposes. As of this week, the City of Bucha is the proud owner of its own municipal transport company, allowing the buses to now operate on regular public routes.



This transport company serves not only the city itself but the entire Bucha district, reaching up to the borders of Kyiv. We are very pleased about this development—and a little proud to have helped initiate it.

How the Buses Roll in Bucha

November 06, 2022

In early November, Ms. Alevtina Morozova, city councillor from Bucha, visited Dresden once again. We discussed the situation in Bucha, the operation of the buses there, and the next steps in our cooperation.



Tag24/Morgenpost reported:

Travel Report – Part 6

Departure from Bucha and Return to Dresden

June 17–18, 2022

Return journey to Dresden. Before that, we visited a completely destroyed shopping center in Bucha, followed by another brief stop in Kyiv. On the way back, we took in once more the devastation in Borodianka.

Back on the M07 towards Poland, we were once again struck by the vast beauty of the Ukrainian landscape. The endless lines of trucks on both sides of the Ukrainian-Polish border felt strangely familiar. Drivers told us of waiting times of over six days. We were fortunate to cross the border after just four hours.



The return trip to Dresden passed quickly, but the memories will stay with us for a long time.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the hospitality and the sense of safety we always felt, thanks to our friends in Bucha. Stay healthy!

Travel Report – Part 5

Official Handover of the Buses in Bucha

June 16, 2022

Official handover of the three buses to the City of Bucha at the city’s depot. Followed by a meeting with the Mayor of Bucha, Mr. Anatolii Fedoruk.

After the meeting, we visited the mass grave near the Church of St. Andrew in Bucha, followed by a guided tour of the church’s exhibition. The emotions and impressions are beyond words. Brief visit to Maidan Square in Kyiv, then return to Bucha via Irpin.

Ukrainian and German media report on the handover of the buses in Bucha

June 16, 2022

Travel Report – Part 4

Arrival in Bucha

June 15, 2022

Arrival in Bucha and parking of the buses at the city’s bus depot. For the first time, a large part of the Ukrainian-German team that brought the project to life over the past weeks meets in person. We are given a tour of the “Bucha Watch” (Буча Варка).



In February, this civilian defense group played a key role in halting the advance of the Russian army in Bucha. In the evening, we visit Bucha and Irpin. The scale of destruction still leaves us speechless.

Travel Report – Part 3

Through Northwestern Ukraine

June 14 - 15, 2022

A relaxed drive through the Ukrainian early summer along the northern M07. One feels like pitching a tent by a lake, listening to the trees rustling, and fishing. Without the constant roadblocks and military checkpoints, it would seem like a place where one could truly leave behind the hustle and bustle of Europe.



But in Borodianka, just before reaching Bucha, the scenery changes abruptly. We come face to face with the horrors of war for the first time. The extent of the destruction is shocking—especially the damage to civilian housing and infrastructure. And yet, we are struck by how life somehow goes on.

Travel Report – Part 2

From Dresden to Ukraine

June 12 - 14, 2022

Early on the morning of Sunday, June 12, the “Buses for Bucha” convoy set off with our drivers Falk, Jörg, Falko, Sven, André, and Tom. Accompanying us was a breakdown vehicle from DVB—just in case. The three Solaris buses handled the journey to the Ukrainian border without complaint. Quite an achievement for city buses that had never seen a highway before.

Ironically, it was the breakdown vehicle that gave out near Łódź. Nevertheless, after a long drive, we all reached our first overnight stop in Chełm, near the Ukrainian border. Unfortunately, our Ukrainian drivers—Sergey, Gregor, and Alexander—had to wait an entire day on the Ukrainian side. For men under 60, leaving Ukraine currently requires a special permit, which was temporarily delayed. Thankfully, the issue was resolved, and on the morning of June 14, we headed toward the border.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the staff of the Suchodolski Palace in Poland for their hospitality. The refugee camp once housed there (we first visited in March 2022) is now a thing of the past. Still, we were able to maneuver the buses and get some rest.

At the border, we were fortunate to use the corridor for humanitarian aid transports. A 15-kilometer traffic jam had formed before the crossing. Drivers reported waiting times of up to five days. After “only” 10 hours—7.5 of which were spent at Polish customs—we were finally through. On the Ukrainian side, the situation was similar, though the line was an even longer 25 kilometers.

A huge thank you to our Ukrainian and German drivers. You did an outstanding job. Without you, this project would not have been possible!

Travel Report – Part 1

Final Preparations in Dresden

June 10, 2022

In just three days, together with our partners (coordinated by Buses of Hope/Gigahertz Ventures), we got the three buses from the City of Dresden ready for departure to Bucha—including the loading of relief supplies.

This included technical servicing and inspection of the buses (carried out by Dresden Public Transport DVB AG), excellent administrative support from the City of Dresden and the Saxon State Chancellery, customs clearance (as always, outstanding work by Sachsenland GmbH), logistical support from the German Red Cross and the FDP parliamentary group in the Dresden City Council, and bus labeling by Wegas Werbung Dresden.



In addition to medical supplies and protective equipment (provided by the Saxon State Chancellery), we also received support from Orthopädie- und Rehatechnik Dresden GmbH, which provided wheelchairs, walkers, and other orthopedic aids. Outstanding teamwork!

The City Council of Dresden unanimously approves the donation of three city buses

June 02, 2022

Great news: On June 2, 2022, the City Council of Dresden unanimously decided to donate three buses from the Dresden Public Transport (DVB) depot to the city of Bucha. Ms. Alevtina Morozova, city councillor from Bucha, was honored with the opportunity to address the council and sign the City of Dresden’s Golden Book. The donation proposal was submitted by the FDP parliamentary group.

We are delighted about this joint success—and most of all, we are happy for the city of Bucha. The buses will now undergo technical preparation for the long journey and will soon be brought to Bucha by our team. We will keep you informed about the next steps.



Source:  FDP Dresden / Prausse

The FDP parliamentary group in the Dresden City Council will submit the donation proposal

May 30, 2022

We were able to inspire the FDP parliamentary group in the Dresden City Council with the project. On June 2, the City Council will vote on the FDP’s proposal to donate three Solaris Urbino 12 buses—provided by Dresden Public Transport (DVB)—to the city of Bucha.



Ms. Alevtina Morozova, city councillor from Bucha, will present the project to the council.

Media feedback

Coordination and Project Partners

• Initiative: Gigahertz Ventures, City Council of Bucha, Holger Zastrow, FDP Dresden
  
• Overall Coordination: City Council of Bucha (represented by the Mayor of Bucha, Mr. Anatolii Fedoruk) in cooperation with the City Council and the City of Dresden
  
• Coordination of Preparation and Implementation: Gigahertz Ventures GmbH Dresden, together with Dresden City Administration
• Major Partners and Supporters: DVB Dresden Public Transport, Sachsenland Transport & Logistik GmbH

Why We Are Doing This

As business angels (👉 www.gigahertz.ventures) focused on technology-driven startups, we maintain close ties with Eastern European countries. Our partner and managing director, Stefan Schandera, has lived in Eastern Europe and Central Asia for many years, primarily working for international organizations such as the UN and the World Bank in development cooperation. He has known Ukraine very well for over 20 years and has established strong networks in the region. His son was born in Kyiv.

In this phase of the war, we want to leverage our network and resources to provide fast, straightforward, and effective support. Beyond that, we want to demonstrate what is possible through civil courage—and inspire others to do the same. Talk is cheap - let's DO it!

Of course, neither our project partners and supporters (including our drivers) nor we receive any compensation.

Questions?

You can reach us at: contact.us@gigahertz.ventures

Thank you very much for your support!