FlixBus has announced the return of the controversial ‘Highway to Hel’ bus service to the Polish seaside resort of Hel — the new 13-hour route will connect Kraków to Hel, passing through other major Polish regional towns and cities including the capital Warsaw.

Controversial Number Revived

The so-called ‘Highway to Hel’ bus journey, previously operated by local company PKS Gdynia, was known for its controversial association with the number 666; Religious conservative groups had fiercely opposed the ‘satanic’ connotation of the number with Hel. In 2023, the number was changed to 669 to address these concerns.

A FlixBus spokesperson, Aleksander Kalenik, told the Polish news service TVN24 that the number 666 was deliberately chosen as a marketing communication element to increase the visibility of the connection on the popular holiday route to Hel.

Public and Religious Reactions

Back in June 2023. A PKS Gdynia spokesperson had stated to media that the company’s management board decided to change the bus number due to the weight of letters and requests received over many years. The spokesperson noted that these requests were not in large numbers but had been periodic.

One Polish religious group had accused the bus company of ‘spreading satanism.’ This accusation stems from the Bible identifying 666 as the ‘number of the beast.’ Interestingly, Hel is just one ‘l’ short of the English word ‘hell,’ adding to the controversy.

Hel’s Appeal and Cultural Context

Poland is a predominantly Roman Catholic nation, where the Church has traditionally been influential. Hel, located on the tip of the 22-mile (35km) Hel Peninsula, juts off the northern coast of Poland in the Gulf of Gdańsk. The area is known for its sandy beaches, ancient architecture, and a seal sanctuary, which attract tourists.

The revival of the ‘Highway to Hel’ bus route by FlixBus has reignited the debate over the use of the number 666. The company’s decision to use the controversial number as part of its marketing strategy highlights the ongoing tension between commercial interests and religious sensitivities in Poland.