A new way to reach Dubrovnik’s Old Town is taking shape

Dubrovnik is building a new Park & Ride system at Pobrežje that will combine parking with electric bus connections, in a move aimed at reducing traffic congestion around the historic city centre.

Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković has inspected construction work on the project, which the city describes as the first integrated Park & Ride system in Croatia to combine parking facilities with public transport operated by electric buses.

The system will allow visitors to leave their vehicles at Pobrežje, on the outskirts of the city, and continue their journey by public transport rather than driving into the busy central area.

The project forms part of Dubrovnik’s wider strategy to manage traffic, reduce congestion and improve sustainable mobility, particularly around the city’s historic centre, which attracts large numbers of visitors.

572 parking spaces planned

The new facility will provide a total of 572 parking spaces, including 530 spaces for cars, 20 for buses and 16 for taxis.

Of the spaces for cars, 28 will be reserved for people with disabilities.

The project will also include two bus terminals, each with three positions for passengers to board and alight, alongside landscaped green areas and pedestrian facilities.

Because of the terrain, the car park is being built across several levels, supported by reinforced concrete retaining walls. The design is intended to make efficient use of the available space while limiting environmental impacts.

The project includes measures for environmental protection and energy efficiency and has been designed to comply with Natura 2000 ecological network requirements.

Tourist buses expected to use Pobrežje

Mayor Franković said he was satisfied with the progress of construction and expected the work to be completed within the agreed timeframe.

He said that, once the Park & Ride system becomes operational, street and off-street parking spaces across the city would be reserved exclusively for holders of preferential parking permits, with hourly parking tickets to be discontinued.

The measure is intended to make more parking spaces available to local residents.

Franković also said the city wanted tourist buses to gradually use Pobrežje instead of arriving at Pile, near the historic centre. Passengers would then continue their journeys on electric buses operated by the city’s Libertas public transport company.

A circular bus route departing from Osojnik is also planned as part of the transport arrangements.

The intention is to reduce the number of private cars and tourist buses entering the more congested parts of Dubrovnik while providing visitors with an alternative way to reach the city.

Part of a wider traffic management strategy

The Park & Ride project builds on other measures introduced by Dubrovnik, including a special traffic regime, the electrification of public transport and the digitalisation of traffic management.

By linking parking outside the central area with electric public transport, the city aims to improve access for visitors while reducing pressure on roads around the historic centre.

The project is expected to play a role in the city’s longer-term efforts to manage tourism-related traffic and improve the quality of life for residents.

Further details on the opening date and the operating arrangements for the Park & Ride service were not provided in the city’s announcement.