On Demand-Responsive Transport for Persons with Disabilities in Slovenia

To enable accessibility to intercity public passenger transport, the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy  (MOPE), in collaboration with the Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia, developed the project "Spatial Data Support for Public Passenger Transport Management – Persons with Disabilities in Public Transport" in 2021 and 2022. This project examined the travel habits of persons with disabilities and developed a demand-responsive transport model as an integral part of public transport, providing a systemic solution.

In 2023, based on the "Spatial Data Support for Public Passenger Transport Management – Persons with Disabilities in Public Transport" project, a pilot project for demand-responsive transport for persons with mobility impairments was launched. MOPE is implementing this project together with the Public Passenger Transport Management Company (the national public transport operator), while the transport service provider is the National Council of Disability Organisations of Slovenia. The pilot project is currently being carried out in the cities of Maribor and Ljubljana.

Demand-responsive transport enables passengers to travel from a starting point to a destination, provided both locations are within the transport gravitational area covered by the call centres. However, the final destination must not be more than 50 km away from the starting point. If a passenger needs to travel beyond this area, the service provides transport to the nearest accessible public transport station, allowing passengers to continue their journey using other forms of public transport.

Demand-responsive transport primarily serves essential travel purposes, with priority given to health-related trips, administrative procedures, and other urgent travel needs of persons with mobility impairments.

Since the pilot project has proven to be a highly successful component of public transport, especially for persons with mobility impairments, MOPE, the Public Passenger Transport Management Company, and the Surveying and Mapping Authority of Slovenia are continuing its development. In 2025, the project will be expanded beyond Ljubljana and Maribor to include the cities of Celje, Slovenj Gradec, Nova Gorica, Kranj, and Koper.

Over the years, the pilot project will continue to expand both in terms of users (including persons with disabilities and older adults) and geographic coverage, ultimately aiming to provide nationwide accessibility across Slovenia. 

More about On Demand-Responsive Transport for Persons with Disabilities in Slovenia.

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