Italia-Croatia

22/01/2026

Labin, a medieval hilltop town on the eastern Istrian coast, is renowned for its rich heritage, artistic spirit, and cultural life. Yet beneath its beauty lies a long-standing challenge: mobility. For residents, commuters, and visitors, travelling to, from, and within Labin often means relying on congested roads, facing limited public transport, and lacking sustainable alternatives.

A pilot action for smarter mobility

As part of the SUMMA project (Sustainable Multimodal Mobility in Adriatic Coastal and Hinterland Areas), the lead local partner, in collaboration with the City of Labin, is implementing a pilot action to improve public transport and accessibility within the town. Two initiatives are underway: a study to establish a greener, optimized public transport network, and a technical analysis for a mechanical link between Podlabin and the Old Town. These pilot actions address Labin’s specific mobility needs while contributing to the broader goals of SUMMA, a project bringing together eight partners from Croatia and Italy to foster sustainable, climate-resilient mobility across the Adriatic region.

The Mobility Challenge in Labin

Labin’s striking setting also creates obstacles: the Old Town towers above the Adriatic, while the seaside resort of Rabac lies below. Daily life is affected since the Istrian Y motorway—the region’s main corridor—is around forty minutes away. Without direct access, Labin relies almost entirely on the D66 state road, which becomes heavily congested during summer, stretching travel times for locals and tourists alike.

Public transport offers few alternatives; only a small number of intercity bus lines operate, often with timetables that do not meet the needs of workers, students, or patients. The absence of a rail connection further isolates Labin, making road transport the only realistic option. Cycling and walking infrastructure, though gradually improving, remains fragmented and unsuitable for daily commuting.

These shortcomings affect more than convenience. They slow economic development, limit opportunities for young people, and place pressure on tourism, one of Labin’s strongest assets. Car dependency also increases emissions, undermining environmental sustainability.

SUMMA: A shared Adriatic effort

Launched in April 2024 and running until March 2026, SUMMA unites municipalities, regional authorities, and energy agencies from Italy and Croatia. Coordinated by the Municipality of Caorle, the project connects local initiatives with European transport strategies while reducing congestion and improving multimodal links between ports, airports, railways, and towns. Each partner territory contributes by addressing its most pressing mobility challenges and developing models that can be shared across borders.

In Labin, the pilot actions reflect the area’s unique needs. The first initiative is a study to design a green, optimized public transportation network that covers Labin and its neighboring municipalities. It analyses current mobility patterns and proposes solutions that match real demand, including the introduction of electric or hydrogen buses, routes connecting residential areas with schools and workplaces, and stronger links between Labin’s coastal ports and regional hubs such as Pula Airport and the rail stations in Pula and Rijeka. The study is designed to serve as a model that other Istrian communities with dispersed populations and limited public transport can adapt.

The second initiative is a technical study on a mechanical connection between Podlabin and the Old Town. The Old Town’s elevated position is central to Labin’s identity, but also creates a mobility barrier. Currently, reaching the centre requires either a steep climb or a car journey through narrow streets. The study will examine escalators, elevators, funiculars, and cable cars, evaluating cost, feasibility, heritage preservation, and environmental sustainability. The goal is to create a safe, fast, and green link that reduces car traffic while improving access to the historic centre.

Benefits beyond transport

The impacts of these initiatives will go far beyond mobility. Residents will benefit from greater freedom of movement, reduced household costs, and safer streets. Students and workers will have improved access to schools, universities, and workplaces, while elderly citizens and those without access to cars will have greater independence.

Tourism, a cornerstone of Labin’s economy, will benefit from easier access to both Rabac’s beaches and the Old Town. A funicular or cable car would not only relieve traffic but also serve as a new attraction offering panoramic views of the Adriatic. Businesses will enjoy better logistics and investment conditions. Environmental benefits include reduced emissions and cleaner air, supporting both local quality of life and European climate goals.

Shared lessons across the Adriatic

Labin’s pilot actions are part of a broader network of SUMMA initiatives. In Caorle, a cycling path now connects the bus station with ferry services, facilitating intermodal travel. In Poreč, an electric minibus links the city centre with suburban areas, extending sustainable transport inland. These examples demonstrate how towns across the Adriatic are responding to shared challenges of congestion, tourism pressure, and limited public transport.

Through SUMMA, Labin’s initiatives are part of a collaborative platform for exchanging ideas and best practices. Solutions tested in one location can inspire or be adapted elsewhere, reinforcing the relevance of local actions while contributing to regional and European policy discussions.

From local action to European strategy

Labin’s pilot studies align with European goals such as the Green Deal and the EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, supporting cleaner buses, reduced car dependency, and improved multimodal connections. By integrating with ports and airports, it also supports the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR). At the national level, they align with Croatia’s Transport Development Strategy 2014–2030, which highlights the need to strengthen connectivity, multimodality, and sustainable mobility. These pilot actions are not isolated experiments but part of a wider European effort to make mobility more inclusive and sustainable.

The studies currently underway provide a roadmap for future investments, from modern bus fleets to innovative infrastructure. The vision is of a Labin where public transport is a true alternative to cars, the Old Town is accessible without congestion, and mobility supports social, economic, and environmental goals.

Conclusion

Better mobility is never just about transport—it is about enabling opportunities, connecting people, and building a sustainable future. For Labin, this means affordable and safe travel for residents, access to education for students, enjoyable experiences for tourists, and cleaner air for all.

Through SUMMA, the local pilot actions transform Labin’s mobility challenges into strengths. The public transport and mechanical connection studies are steps towards a town where mobility supports inclusion, heritage, and sustainability, and where solutions can be scaled to other Istrian communities.

Labin is moving forward, not only for itself but as part of a broader Adriatic effort to create smarter, greener, and more connected communities, showing how even smaller towns can help shape Europe’s sustainable future.