December 20, 2022 - On Sunday, Ana Golomeić and Nikolina Žiljak drove the party buses for the Croatia Football Team. Just like they did four years ago when the silver Vatreni returned from Russia.

24Sata quotes the driver: "the Vatreni recognised me, and that was great. When they saw me, they said: 'Here she is, that lady who drove us the last time,'" - laughs Nikolina Žiljak, who drove the Vatreni on Sunday in a panoramic bus from the beginning of the Sava road to the Ban Josip Jelačić square. Ana Golomeić drove the staff members in the other bus.

Four years ago, when the Vatreni returned from Russia with silver, the ladies behind the wheel were ZET's drivers Ana and Nikolina, who were honoured to do so again, as they say, after a job well done four years ago.

"The bosses were satisfied because we behaved professionally and drove the whole way without any problems. I believe that's why they chose us again. We were happy to hear that we will do it again," the ladies said. However, this time, they admitted, everything was completely different from the last time.

"It was much more difficult because it was dark, the torches were blazing, and you had to be very careful about the people on the road and everything that could go wrong. Four years ago, everything was much clearer because it was daylight so I could drive a little more relaxed. Besides, it was freezing this time, and I was confined in my cabin and didn't interact with the passengers. In the end, the only important thing is that everything went as it should", said Ana. She added that although it was much shorter than four years ago, the journey from Savska to the Square took an eternity for her.

"There is no need for the gas pedal; you hold the brake. Walking would be much faster than the way I drove. But those are the rules. The journey took about 40 minutes, but it seemed much longer to me", said Ana.
Nikolina, who drove the football players, was isolated in her cabin. Four years ago, she became headline news because she refused Luka Modrić's request to sit behind the bus wheel for a while. She says there was neither occasion nor time for such teasing this time.

"I am happy that they recognised me, and that is enough. When they got off the bus, they thanked me nicely. It's a memory for a lifetime and that's why I'm grateful that I had this opportunity to drive the Vatreni", said Nikolina.
She added that her children and all the people she loves are proud of her.

"They are also honoured to say they know the woman who drove the Vatreni,” laughs Nikolina. Four years ago, she says, she was convinced that it was the only time she would do something like that in her life. It all happened again, though.

"Rarely does anyone get this kind of opportunity, and that's why I'm grateful. If necessary, I would do it all again", she said.

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October the 16th, 2021 - The price of Zagreb public transport tickets is set to increase as a decision is made at the helm of ZET (Zagreb Electric Tram).

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, in a recent interview with HRT, the president of the ZET syndicate, Drazen Jovic, announced a rise in Zagreb public transport ticket prices due to rising energy prices.

"Given the prices of derivatives, the prices of gas, construction materials, and some kind of creeping inflation, it is quite clear that there will be and that there should be a correction in the prices of Zagreb public transport tickets," said Jovic.

"One ticket will probably cost around 8 kuna. It's difficult to calculate exactly how much these tickets should be, but yes, they'll probably be around 8 kuna, which would be approximately realistic given the current price increases," Jovic said. That said, most won't be happy with a 50% price increase on a 30 minute ticket, which currently costs a mere 4 kuna.

He added that the existing tickets of 4, 7 and 10 kuna should all be combined into one ticket with a single price, which is also likely to irritate many Zagreb public transport users who feel like they'll be being robbed of both time and money.

Jovic also said that ZET subsidies range on average from 500 to 700 million kuna a year and that the difference in tickets is subsidised.

"ZET will never have a ticket being sold at a real market price because it would be absolutely unacceptable to Zagreb public transport's end users," he added, despite the sentiment from many that this price hike in itself won't be very popular among the city's commuters.

"I think people should be quite honestly told that there will be a rise in prices," Jovic stated, adding that believes that the price of communal services is also set to increase.

''Considering the derivatives, and looking atthe overall situation, I think that the people of Zagreb should be honestly told that there will be a rise in prices on the horizon. This situation is certainly unsustainable in terms of utilities, and that ranges from cleanliness all the way to transportation itself,'' said Jovic.

 -16For more on Zagreb's public transport system and what you can use it to see in the bustling capital, why not check out Zagreb in a Page in the language of your choice?

ZAGREB, 14 Sept, 2021 - Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević said on Tuesday that the city administration had appointed a new supervisory board of the city-owned ZET public transportation company, which will advertise vacancies for the new management in the coming days.

he new members of the ZET Supervisory Board are Marko Slavulj, Marko Borski and Sanja Stojić.

Tomašević said that ZET cost the city HRK 1.1 billion annually and that the city's contribution was HRK 790 million. He added that an additional HRK 80 million should be secured through a budget revision.

The number of passengers in public transport has been falling and the number of vehicles on roads has been growing. That is not a good trend and should be reversed and that is what we expect of the new ZET management, the mayor said.

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ZAGREB, 5 Sept, 2021 - Zagreb's public transport company ZET on Sunday marked its 130th anniversary in memory of 5 September 1891 when the first horse-driven tram carriage service started in the city.

Therefore the Zagreb Municipal Transit System or ZET (standing for the Zagrebacki Elektricni Tramvaj company) observes 5 September as the anniversary day of the beginning of the organised city transport system.

The first electric tramcar was put in service in the streets of Zagreb on 18 August 1910. In one year's time, the network of electric street cars replaced horse-driven trams.

In 1931, ZET included buses for the first time as the new mode of public transport in Zagreb. ZET operates a funicular from downtown to uptown Zagreb, which is the shortest funicular route in the world.

The ceremonies marking the 130 anniversary include a concert of pop songs aboard an open-top ZET bus.

This city company has 266 trams in its fleets, and 142 of them are low-floor trams. ZET has 480 buses.

The company transports more than a million passengers on a daily basis.

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May the 7th, 2021 - There will be no ZET trams running in Novi Zagreb over the weekends from the 8th until the 30th of May due to continuing works. A new bus line will be introduced to make up for the temporarily suspended tram services.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, due to the continuation of works on the renovation of Zagreb's famous Most Mladosti (Youth Bridge), traffic in the form of ZET trams in Novi Zagreb will be suspended on weekends (meaning more precisely on Saturdays and Sundays) from May the 8th to May the 30th, and a new bus line (607) will be introduced to make up for the missing trams which would usually be running as normal along those routes, ZET reported on its website on Thursday.

This new bus line will run along the following route: Savski most (Sava bridge) - Avenija Dubrovnik (Dubrovnik Avenue) - Drziceva (Marin Drzic Avenue) - Ulica grada Vukovara (Vukovar street).

The bus will turn in a semicircle at the intersection of Drziceva and Ulica grada Vukovara, and the entry-exit stop will be in Drziceva (near Diona) they have stated from ZET.

During the works on Most Mladosti, ZET trams, more precisely the lines 6, 7 and 14 will operate along the changed routes.

Line 6: Crnomerec - Trg bana Josipa Jelacica (Ban Jelacic square) - Glavni kolodvor (Main train station) - Autobusni kolodvor (Bus station) - Heinzelova - Zitnjak.

Line 7: Dubec - Autobusni kolodvor (Bus station) - Ulica grada Vukovara (Vukovar street) - Savski most (Sava bridge).

Line 14: Mihaljevac - Trg bana Josipa Jelacica (Ban Jelacic square) - Frankopanska (Frankopan street) - Savska cesta (Sava road) - Savski most (Sava bridge).

Instead of the tram of the night line 31, a bus will be introduced, reported ZET, which has also asked and thanked people in advanced for their understanding as the Most Mladosti works continue throughout the month of May.

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April the 14th, 2021 - Zagreb's ZET public transport system could be set to get its hands on some brand new multifunctional equipment which would boast similar services as some smart watches currently on the market.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Crnjak writes, there has been little to no tourism for not only Croatia but for the majority of the world over the last year, and Igor Knezevic, the owner of an agency for renting out apartments and events, had a choice of whether to sit at home being irritated and twiddling his thumbs or to come up with something new.

He chose the latter and a new challenge, a project that suits the times in which we live, which he believes has great potential in the country, but for outside of Croatia.

A pilot and engineer by profession, Knezevic designed the "smart handrail" Smart Medico intended for public transport, a device modelled on smart watches which measure a person's heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. He is now in the final phases of the development of this project and is looking for partners with whom he could apply for money from European Union (EU) funds.

"As I normally deal with air transport and tourism, and all of that stopped because of the pandemic, I decided to dedicate myself to investing in the development of a socially beneficial project. Given the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, it seemed to me that such a product could meet the interest of both the public and the public sector.
As an engineer, I independently developed and made a prototype device with 3D printing that is suitable for installation in vehicles, and we plan to enter the market this year,'' explained Igor Knezevic. His smart handrails can be placed in all public transport vehicles, could find itselt in the capital's ZET public transport system, and shows passengers the current condition of their body.

The product is protected and registered and is ready for production at a price of about 300-400 kuna per device. The device is not registered as a medical instrument, but serves instead as something useful for general users, and plays a similar role as the services offered by a smartwatch.

"A lot of public transport users don't use smartphones or smartwatches, nor do they have such applications which could boast similar services as our handrail can. On the other hand, market research has shown us that people are usually very interested in learning something about their current physical condition, which is why they're also frequent visitors to pharmacies that offer similar measurement services. These people are our potential beneficiaries,'' explained Knezevic, who is currently in the initial stages of talks with public institutions and companies that could be interested in cooperation.

As this is a socially useful product, intended for the general public, Knezevic believes that this is an excellent project for which he could apply for funds from the European Fund for Civil Society Development, and the project holders can be companies such as the ZET public transport system.

"So far, we've only informed them about what we have on offer and I expect that in the coming period there will be negotiations with ZET public transport, but also other carriers and other cities. They showed interest in our product in Graz, and Maribor is on our list for negotiations, to which we're just now sending out all the details about the product,'' he stated.

He explained that the handrail also boasts anti-theft protection, and after giving someone details about their body temperature and the like, it is automatically reset, so there is no possibility of data misuse. The Austrians, for example, could be tempted by such a device as they are interested in doing research on the state of health in the population using anonymous samples taken from trams and buses.

Knezevic is convinced that there will be interest in his innovation, and not only from Zagreb's ZET public transport, but from others too. He isn't intending on stopping there either, after the smart handrail, the development of a similar device will follow.

For more on Croatian innovative, make sure to check out Made in Croatia.

January the 17th, 2021 - The Zagreb public transport provider ZET has announced that it will be reducing the number of both buses and trams running on its network due to the current drop in demand across the Croatian capital.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the Zagreb public transport provider ZET (Zagreb Electric Tram) reported that it will reduce its operational tram and bus lines due to the general reduction in traffic demand which is being seen at the moment.

ZET will cut its services for a relatively short period of time, more specifically from January the 18th until January the 29th.

"Due to the decision of the Ministry of Science and Education to hold distance learning for higher grades of children attending primary schools, secondary schools (with the exception of high school graduates) and colleges, traffic demand is expected to decrease and accordingly from the 18th to the 29th of January, the tram lines 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 17 will continue to operate but according to an adjusted timetable on working days/week days.

Additionally, individual departures on the following bus lines will be reduced: 109, 115, 118, 121, 125, 172, 212, 224, 226, 231, 232, 269 and 281,'' the Zagreb public transport provider ZET announced in a recent statement, and N1 reported.

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November 20, 2020 – Today is the 20th anniversary of the completion of the Zagreb trams network. Namely, on this day in 2000, the last current line from Jarun to Prečko was opened. To celebrate, we take a look at the iconic, blue trams of Zagreb

It's all too easy to take for granted the things you see every day. That's certainly true of city residents in their feelings for Zagreb trams. As it currently stands, the Zagreb trams network was completed on 20th November 2000, when the existing line to Jarun was further extended to Prečko, which lies to the west of the city centre. In the two decades that have followed, Zagreb trams have cemented their place as an icon of the city, have helped changed the cityscape of Zagreb and have facilitated the friendships, education, careers, relationships and businesses of the Croatian capital over millions of journeys. All without much fanfare or celebration.

The Zagreb trams network

The Zagreb trams network consists of 15 lines which connect suburbs as far west from the centre as Prečko (8 kilomtres), as far east as Dubec (8 kilometres), north to Mihaljevac (3 kilometres) and south to Avenue Dubrovnik in Novi Zagreb (an additional line, running further south to Velika Gorica, servicing Zagreb Franjo Tudman airport, is planned). Throughout the night, four lines remain, connecting essential workers, night-time workers and late-night revellers (although they are sometimes replaced by night buses due to maintenance works).

© Romulić & Stojčić

The completion of the line to Prečko catalysed the expansion of the westerly-lying suburbs of Špansko and Prečko. The change visited upon the rest of the city by the Zagreb trams network has been no less fundamental. Certainly, at weekends, Zagreb can confidently claim to be a 24-hour city because of its trams. Day or night, no place within the city suburbs is too far to reach because of Zagreb trams.

© Aktron / Wikimedia Commons

So reliable and well used are Zagreb trams that it's perhaps understandable why they are sometimes taken for granted. Whole generations now living in the city do not even know a Zagreb without a tram network. Its importance to all was put into sharp focus during the early part of 2020 when the Zagreb trams network was temporarily closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps only then was the true scale of integration between Zagreb trams and the lives of city residents truly recognised. 'You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.'

Zagreb trams on the corner of Vlaška and Draškovićeva streets in 1935 © Public domain

Lest we forget to give credit where credit is due, here are some interesting facts about Zagreb trams.

The Zagreb trams network was started in 1891 with the opening of the first line. Back then, the trams were pulled by horses - the electric tram didn't debut in Zagreb until 1910. The first journey started at the site of today's Technical Museum and the first track ran for some 8-kilometres. So fascinated were Zagreb residents with the introduction that some 20, 000 passenger journeys were made on the second day. The population of Zagreb at the time was 40, 000.

The route from Draškovićeva to Džamija in the 1930s © HappyV

Osijek in Slavonia, east Croatia, was the first city in the country to have trams. The first international railway line into Croatia was built to facilitate holidays on the Kvarner coast, but the rail line ended in Rijeka. The upper echelons of Austro-Hungarian society who took this train were transported to their preferred destination – Opatija – by tram.

The most-modern low floor trams that now run in Zagreb were introduced in 2005.

There are two separate tram stations in Zagreb which have the same name – there are Heinzelova stations on the lines both to Savišće and Borongaj.

The view from Džamija up to Draškovićeva and the cathedral in 1947 © Romák Éva

The Zagreb trams network has 116.3 kilometres (72.3 miles) of metre gauge track. It is the same track all over the city, except for the line which runs north to Mihaljevac, which is unique. This line is both the fastest and the shortest in the Zagreb trams network. It services some of the most desirable Zagreb suburbs in which to live. But, of course. The inclusion of the Mihaljevac line brings the track total to 120 kilometres.

Children under the age of six do not require a ticket to ride on Zagreb trams.

There are six different types of tram currently running on the network. Zagreb residents have given nicknames to different models over the years – Đuro was named after a factory that made it, Bik, meaning bull, got its name because it was stronger than older models, Čeh was named after Czechoslovakia, the country where it was produced, Katica, Genšer and Zeko meaning bunny. Everyone likes the most modern trams in summer, because they have air conditioning but, in winter, city residents greet with joy the approach of older models on their route – the seats are heated to a toasty temperature.

A photograph of how the open carriages of Zagreb trams used to look. The original of this photograph can be found in © Zagreb City Museum

The longest single direction journey you can make on Zagreb trams is between Prečko in the west of the city and Dubec in the east. The journey takes around 76 minutes. You have to change tram only once to make this journey.

Apart from being the most environmentally friendly motorised public transport option in the city, the trams have massively contributed to Zagreb being a modern eco-friendly capital. Many city tram networks run down the middle of roads. While some lines in Zagreb are also placed here, many instead run at the sides of roads. This positioning – plus the way the lines sit in the road – make them problematic for cyclists. And this is partially the reason why Zagreb has 220 kilometres of dedicated cycle paths which exist not on the roads, like in other cities, but on the pavements.

Zagreb's generous 220 kilometres of dedicated cycle paths come partially as a result of the positioning and construction materials of the Zagreb trams network © G Schneider

One of the world's worst tram accidents happened in 1954 on the Zagreb network. The tragedy took place on the old, steep stretch running near Mirogoj cemetery. Nineteen passengers were killed and thirty seven were severely injured.

During the day, each line runs on average every 5–10 minutes. Almost all stations on the Zagreb tram network sit on at least two lines.

Zagreb's tram network transported 204 million passengers in 2008.

A few years ago, the lowest fare tram ticket was 10 kuna. Zagreb trams were then often ridden by people without a ticket (and still are). The company who runs the tram network, ZET, decided to decrease the price of the lowest ticket to 4 kuna. Since doing so, many more people buy a ticket for Zagreb trams. You can travel for 30 minutes on any tram or trams with a 4 kuna ticket.

© Marc Rowlands

All uncredited photographs courtesy © ZET

ZAGREB, November 2, 2020 - Deputies in the Zagreb City Assembly on Monday adopted reports on the business results of the Zagreb Holding multi-utility conglomerate, the Zagreb Trade Fair Centre and the ZET city transportation company, showing that all three companies operated at a loss in the first half of the year.

Opposition deputies, who participated in the assembly's session that was held online, either voted against or abstained from voting on the companies' semi-annual reports. None of the deputies wanted to participate in a debate on the reports.

In the period from January to June, Zagreb Holding earned HRK 854 million in revenue while its expenditure totalled around HRK 970 million, which resulted in a pre-tax loss of some HRK 116 million.

ZET's revenue amounted to HRK 569 million while its expenditure totalled around HRK 581 million, resulting in a loss of HRK 12 million.

The Zagreb Trade Fair Centre's revenue totalled HRK 23 million and expenditures around HRK 29 million, which is a loss of six million, seven times more than in the same period of 2019 when the loss amounted to HRK 857,406.

The Assembly also adopted business reports of the Zagreb Innovation Centre and the Zagreb Waste Management Centre, which show that the two companies did not incur any losses.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 6th of October, 2020, after dark falls, no one at the ZET tram terminal at Mihaljevac wants to spend more time there than they have to. Due to poor lighting, the terminal is full of shady, dark corners, so passengers waiting for a tram or a bus tend to be grouped under lamps to somehow feel better.

Even during the day, many will agree, this particular ZET tram terminal is a rather ugly space where it can be seen that the entire area is desperately crying out for renewal. Residents of Podsljeme were delighted when they heard back in February that the ZET tram terminal was finally set to undergo a thorough reconstruction worth a massive thirteen million kuna, but they had to wait a little more than half a year for a tender for the contractors to be announced, writes Vecernji list.

Bidders can apply until October the 12th, 2020, and their job will be to turn the run down Mihaljevac, and it isn't a crime to refer to it as that, into something much more presentable. According to the tender documentation, this ZET tram terminal should be much more spacious, starting with the bus terminal, which will be twice as large, oval in shape, so that vehicles will be able to turn without maneuvering backwards. The terminal, as well as the taxi stand that will also be properly arranged, will be adapted for people with reduced mobility, and canopies for bicycles will be located at the northern end of it. All stops will be equipped with canopies for passengers, bins and info posts showing the arrival of vehicles on an attractive LED display, the drainage system will be restored, and the entire space will receive a horticultural "makeover".

Prior to these works, according to the tender documentation, the existing facilities, which have been in a very bad condition for a long time now, will all have to be removed, and the building with the public toilets and ZET's ticket office will be the first to fall. After that, two kiosks and the old canopy will be removed. Residents of Podsljeme would also like to have facilities such as a flower shop, a bakery and stalls with seasonal fruit available for purchase, but this is unfortunately not being provided for in this tender, but a special one regarding that will be announced.

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