Zagreb: Free public transport for under-18s

(Patria) - Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević confirmed that as of yesterday, 120,000 children and young people are entitled to free public transport.

Last year, free transport was provided for 160,000 people over 65 years of age, meaning that more than a third of Zagreb residents no longer have to pay for tickets, the mayor added.

As of yesterday, 120,000 Zagreb residents under the age of 18 and a larger number of people with disabilities are traveling for free on ZET trams and buses.

Parents or guardians who purchased an annual ticket before the decision came into effect will be able to request a refund.

Here's what citizens say:

• "It makes it easier for parents. Everything is different and better, it's easier for children, it's easier for parents".

• "Very good. I have twin grandchildren, so of course, it's good for them".

• "In my opinion, it's okay because they deserve it for free because they don't have the financial means to pay for passes".

The free annual ticket can be collected at sales points upon presentation of a completed form signed by a parent or legal guardian.

- Our citizens who already have a subscription ticket or a virtual ticket in the MojZET application only need to fill out the city office form, which is available on our website - says ZET spokesperson Domagoj Zeba.

Those who do not have a subscription ticket need to fill out an additional form. Refunds will also be available for those who have already purchased an annual ticket. Although all information has been published on the official websites, queues are forming at the information counters.

- We started at 11 sales points. People are coming who are prepared, meaning they have completed applications, they have IDs, and people are also coming who are just inquiring about how to exercise their right - stated Anđelka Krčelić, Head of the Ticket Sales Department.

The mayor explained the introduction of free tickets and subsidies from the city budget.

- You know that due to inflation, ZET workers' salaries are also increasing, all material costs for ZET are increasing, however, we are constantly increasing budget subsidies so that the ticket price does not increase for those who pay, and at the same time, we are increasing subsidies to introduce free transport - emphasizes Tomašević.

A new tram, recently put into operation, broke down, and ZET stated in a press release that such situations with new trams are not excluded.