Poreč introduces free public transport and a new line to Baderna
20/07/2026
The City of Poreč-Parenzo continues to develop its public transport system and expand the network of routes in its area. At the City Council session, a decision was proposed to grant a concession for performing municipal passenger transport on the Poreč – Žbandaj – Baderna – Poreč route, further connecting the city area with suburban settlements along that line.
“As we promised our fellow citizens, we have continued investing in public transport and purchasing a new electric bus, also known as the city bus. We are aware that some routes do not always generate sufficient commercial interest for transport operators, which is why the City is taking a more active role so we can meet the needs of residents. We expect concessionaires to apply and the new line to start operating later this year,” said Mayor Loris Peršurić.
The new line to Baderna will include the settlements along that route and become more accessible to students, retirees, and all residents for their daily needs. Additional value to the system comes from the mayor’s amendment to the budget rebalancing, which will ensure free public transport for all residents with permanent residence in Poreč-Parenzo through a free monthly pass — a simple alternative to daily car use that contributes to long-term habit-building around public transport and reduces traffic congestion in the city, especially during the tourist season.
The new line has been made possible by the purchase of a second electric bus, financed by the European Union through the SUMMA project within the Italy – Croatia Interreg Programme 2021–2027. The first electric bus was introduced in 2021 through the EU project SUTRA, when Poreč-Parenzo became the first city in Croatia with electric public transport. Today, through the concessionaire Arriva, it connects the city center with settlements in the northern part of Poreč.
“With the introduction of the new line to Baderna, we are taking another important step toward connecting all parts of the city. After this, we still need to connect the southern suburban areas with the center, which we plan to achieve by purchasing a third city bus, for which we have already submitted a project proposal. Step by step, we are building a system of free public transport for all generations,” Peršurić added.
Finally, the City of Poreč-Parenzo is the only city in Croatia that has prepared a Traffic Decarbonization Study up to 2030 and one of the few with an adopted Climate Neutrality Plan up to 2050. The greatest value of these investments, however, is seen in the everyday lives of residents — in better connectivity between settlements, greater accessibility of services, and improved quality of life for all generations.
