Poreč Gets New Free Bus Line to Baderne Starting in September
Line 3, featuring a new electric bus, will connect the city center with a series of suburban settlements, and residents of Poreč will enjoy free transportation.
Line 3, featuring a new electric bus, will connect the city center with a series of suburban settlements, and residents of Poreč will enjoy free transportation.
Residents of Poreč can expect a significant expansion of the public transport network starting September 7. The new bus line 3 will connect the Poreč Bus Station with Baderne, passing through a series of suburban settlements, and transportation will be completely free for all citizens with registered residence in the city area.
The Poreč City Council has decided to grant a concession for municipal line passenger transport to Autotrans d.d., i.e., Arriva, thereby fulfilling all prerequisites for the start of operations. The new line will feature an electric city bus, the second of its kind in the city's fleet, procured with European Union funds through the SUMMA project under the Italy, Croatia Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2021-2027.
Line 3 will operate on a circular route starting and ending at the Poreč Bus Station. Along its route, it will cover the settlements of Veleniki, Varvari, Musalež, Stancija Diklić, Kadumi/Radoši, Filipini, Buići, Žbandaj, Ladrovići, Bonaci, and Bonaci 2, all the way to the destination in Baderne. This aims to facilitate daily travel for students, young people, retirees, and all other residents of these areas to the city center.
In addition to the new line, the existing two lines will continue to operate. Line 1 connects the station with Nova Vas, Kukci, and Vranići in the north, while Line 2 runs toward Červar Port, passing through Stancija Vodopija, Veli and Mali Maj.
Poreč Mayor Loris Peršurić emphasized that this fulfills the promise made to citizens about investing in public transport and expanding the line network. "As we promised our fellow citizens, we continue to invest in public transport and expand the line network. We have procured a new electric city bus, and with the selection of the concessionaire, the final step has been taken for the new line to Baderne to start operating as early as the beginning of September. This is especially important to us due to the start of the school year, the daily commitments and activities of young people, as well as the needs of our retirees and all citizens," said Peršurić.
Poreč is the first city in Croatia to receive an electric bus for public transport back in 2021 through the EU project SUTRA. Additionally, it is the only city in the country to have developed a Transport Decarbonization Study by 2030 and one of the few with a Climate Neutrality Plan by 2050.
The mayor also announced further steps in developing the network. "After this, we need to connect the southern part of the suburban settlements with the center, which we plan to achieve by procuring a third city bus, for which we have already submitted a project proposal. Step by step, we are building a free public transport system for all generations," said Peršurić.
A free monthly pass for all citizens with registered residence in Poreč is ensured through a mayoral amendment to the budget rebalance. The long-term goal is to encourage residents to replace private cars with public transport, thereby reducing traffic congestion, especially during the summer tourist season.
