One of the most important and frequently discussed matters of cross-border cooperation is cross-border public transport. It is one of the most common cross-border obstacles and a major determinant of the quality of life of border citizens. The BFPN's 19th Beyond Borders Breakfast Debate dealt with this pressing topic; you can rewatch it here. In this respect, numerous cross-border cooperation projects and initiatives aim to deal with this often appearing issue, each adjusting its approach to the specificities of the border area under examination.

WHAT

The Istrian part of the Slovenia-Croatia border region, where the cities of Piran, Izola (Slovenia), Buje and Umag (Croatia) are located is characterised by the all-too-familiar problem of cross-border public transport. The lack of cross-border transport services for citizens of the border cities travelling under different capacities (e.g. students, cross-border workers, health care users) makes it difficult for them to travel. The use of cars creates congestion at border crossings and has a negative impact on sustainability and environmental protection. The challenge is to jointly address the cross-border transport problem but also to do so in a sustainable way, i.e. through the provision of sustainable cross-border mobility services.

The main objective of the IstraConnect project was to develop a multimodal cross-border public passenger transport model for residents of the Slovenia-Croatia border area, through the strengthening of cooperation between public authorities on both sides of the border. This model was planned to be tested through the introduction of a pilot bus line for the transport of daily commuters (schoolchildren, students, employees, health service users) on a route connecting the partner cities of Uman and Buje (Croatia), and Izola and Piran (Slovenia). The development and implementation of this cross-border mobility concept would increase the quality of life of the cross-border area population, reduce congestion at border crossings and contribute to environmental protection.

WHO

The IstraConnect project was led by the Municipality of Piran (Slovenia) with the participation of 3 more Municipalities: Izola (Slovenia), and Buje and Umag (Croatia).

WHERE

The IstraConnect project was implemented in the Slovenia-Croatia cross-border region and in specific in the cities of Piran and Izola (Slovenia) and Buje and Umag (Croatia).

HOW

The overall project budget amounted to EUR 467.154,00, with EUR 397.080,89 being funded by the ERDF through the 2014 – 2020 INTERREG V-A Slovenia – Croatia programme.

RESULTS

The IstraConnect project developed a pilot bus line on the route Umag – Buje – Plovanija – Kaldanija (Croatia) – Sečovlje – Lucija – Izola Center (Slovenia), which is operated by the Municipality of Piran. The bus line began its operation in November 2022 with morning and afternoon service and is provided free for schoolchildren, students, cross-border workers and health service users. Users can bring their bicycles on board the buses; thus the project achieves its goal of promoting sustainable and multimodal passenger mobility. According to the project results, the pilot operation of the bus line registered over 500 users /month. As of September 2023, the operation of the first line has continued, and a new pilot bus line was introduced offering two-way services in the afternoon and evening.

In addition, the project developed the IstraConnect mobile app, that provides users with information on bus timetables, cycling routes, bike racks, traffic conditions and other activities, to increase sustainable mobility of residents and visitors of Istria.

The project has also been instrumental in fostering cooperation between authorities at regional and local level but also at engaging end users (population and visitors) in the development and refinement of the passenger transport services through the organisation of surveys with end users on the features of the pilot bus line and their satisfaction from its operation and the hosting of workshops for the presentation of the project results and awareness raising on sustainable and multimodal transport for the citizens of the border region.