While management announces investments of €1.36 million, passengers and employees point to the stench of urine, pigeon droppings, and unnecessary pollution, and comparisons with other stations reveal different perspectives.
Zagreb Bus Station (AKZ), a place through which thousands of people pass daily, has recently found itself under public scrutiny. After glass from one of the departure platforms fell and shattered on the platform in recent months, the City Assembly's Drito club requested a report on the station's condition and investments. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, but it raised questions about the general maintenance of the station, designed by Slovenian architects Vojteh Ravnikar and Majda Kregar and opened back in 1987 for the Universiade.
A tour of the station reveals contrasts. While the floor with ticket counters and most catering establishments appears relatively well-maintained, the departure platforms tell a different story. The biggest issue is the stench of urine. According to one of the cleaners, the problem is caused by individuals who don't have or don't want to pay 50 cents to use the toilet. "Don't ask me anything. There are homeless people, beggars, drunks. They won't or can't pay 50 cents for the toilet, so they do their business here. Security guards chase them away, but they can't do everything," the cleaner told Tportal while mopping the floor.
Pigeon droppings on the glass walls, discarded cigarette butts, and general neglect add to the poor impression, especially on the arrival platform near the currency exchange, where a sign prohibiting urination has been placed. Interestingly, about ten years ago, water sprinklers were installed on the arrival platform to prevent people from using it as a shortcut to the departure platform, but that measure ultimately proved to be a waste of money, as people still pass through today.
The station has also been home to a sex shop for years, and the saleswoman reveals that besides locals, passengers also make purchases. "Locals buy, but passengers come too. They say they forgot to buy some little something for their husband or wife, so they stop by," she said. The walk through the station was also marked by brief encounters with other characters. A taxi driver, when asked about the conditions, briefly retorted, "Take a picture, take a picture," but refused to give any further comment.
On the platform, a scene unfolded with a bus driver addressing a foreign woman with large luggage. "Where are you going with that?" he asked her, and when she remained confused, he added, "You're hauling a beast, huh? This can't be regular luggage. We'll have to charge double. Eight euros." Passenger Sanja, who was traveling to Split, did not hold back her criticism of the bus driver. "Our drivers are typical Balkans and keep engines running while buses are parked. Even now, while you and I are talking, the engine of this bus behind us is running. They'll say they have to turn on the AC and that's why, but the AC would turn on later anyway. And now we're being poisoned completely unnecessarily," she stated.
The same passenger believes that the Zagreb station is not the worst and cited Vienna as a worse example, where the station is located under a road interchange with a waiting room in containers. On the other hand, the station in Maribor is mentioned as a positive example, although Sanja admits she has never been there. "People, honestly, abroad they travel more by rail, which we have completely neglected. Here, we travel by car and bus, and those who have money fly," she added.
She reacted strongly to the mention of the Split station: "Are you kidding me? That thing in Split can't be called a station. I don't know if anyone from the Split city government has ever been to that station. It's terrifying. We're in the tourism business. What does that even look like?" Student Marijana from Ploče was more direct in her criticism of the Zagreb station: "It needs to be washed. That's my biggest complaint." On the other hand, an elderly gentleman who didn't want to give his name but noted that everyone in Split knows him was more conciliatory: "A station is a station. You can't expect it to be a pharmacy. This one is still good compared to some."
According to data obtained by Tportal from AKZ, the station currently employs 42 people. In 2025, revenues amounted to €4.59 million, and expenditures to €4.35 million. Although fewer tickets were sold last year, revenues increased due to the new bus docking fee schedule. Responding to a query from the City Assembly, AKZ announced a few days ago that this year's investment plan allocates €1.36 million for continued investment in infrastructure, business safety, and technological modernization. They also added that over the past five years, they have invested €670,000 in infrastructure modernization, digitalization, energy efficiency, air conditioning, and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Currently, renovation work is underway on the steel structures, which is why part of the station is under scaffolding, and the toilet on the arrival platforms is closed for renovation.
