Zagreb Residents Decry Neglected Bus Stops, Citing Safety Hazards
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Residents in eastern Zagreb are complaining about the poor condition of public transport stops, lacking basic amenities like shelters and sidewalks.
- One specific stop in Čučerje has been a point of concern for eight months, with passengers facing hazards due to its proximity to the road and a private chain barrier.
- Local officials acknowledge the issue and are awaiting decisions on potential relocation and improvements, while a city-wide tender for shelter maintenance is underway.
Residents in Zagreb's eastern districts are voicing frustration over the dilapidated state of public transport stops, with many lacking essential features such as shelters, designated waiting areas, or even safe sidewalks. The situation is particularly dire in the city's peripheral neighborhoods, where passengers often find themselves exposed to the elements and navigating hazardous conditions.
A stark example is the bus stop in Čučerje, a neighborhood in Gornja Dubrava. For eight months, locals have been petitioning the local community board and the mayor's office about the stop, which lacks a sidewalk. Passengers exiting the bus are left with only about 30 centimeters of space before encountering a metal chain, apparently marking private property. A local resident expressed dismay, calling the situation "incompetence and inactivity worth mentioning" and noting that the local community board is waiting for an incident to occur before intervening.
Our local committee is waiting for something to happen before urging to prevent it. Incompetence and inactivity worth mentioning.
Stjepan Pintur, a councilor for the Gornja Dubrava City District, confirmed that the problem has been reported and that a site inspection involving city officials took place a month prior. He indicated that a potential location for the stop exists about 50 meters further north, but requires specific construction work. The decision on this matter is pending.
Similar issues plague numerous other stops across Zagreb, including in the Novaki settlement, where stops are situated directly on the road, sometimes near curves. Many existing shelters are damaged, and a significant number of stops lack any overhead cover, forcing commuters to wait in rain or intense sun. On a more positive note, Zagreb's public transport company (ZET) is undertaking a public procurement process valued at 700,000 euros for the maintenance of bus shelters throughout the city, with a recent tender for this purpose already completed.
The local committee and the district council have been informed about this problem. A site inspection with relevant city and ZET officials took place a month ago.
Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.