Starting 1 August, the Municipality of Celje rolled out the most extensive upgrade of its Celebus public transport system since the network was introduced seven years ago. The modernization includes the introduction of the city’s first electric buses, expanded routes and new digital services designed to make public transport more convenient and environmentally friendly.
The existing five bus lines have been redesigned to better reflect passenger demand, while four new routes have been added to improve coverage across the city. In the busiest areas, buses will now arrive every 20 minutes, with timetables in less populated neighbourhoods adjusted according to demand.
Mayor Matija Kovač said the municipality invested €2.2 million in the project, covering the purchase of three electric buses, an electric van and charging infrastructure. Slovenia’s Eco Fund contributed an additional €1.4 million, supporting the city’s transition toward greener urban mobility.
The modernization also includes a major digital upgrade. Passengers can now view routes and timetables directly through Google Maps, while the Centralka mobile application and transport card will provide easier journey planning and ticket management.
The new 9.5-metre electric buses can carry up to 65 passengers, almost doubling the capacity of the older vehicles currently operating in the fleet. They are fully accessible for passengers with reduced mobility and equipped with features designed to assist blind and partially sighted users.
Public transport operator Nomago, which manages the Celebus network, expects the system to welcome its two millionth passenger in the coming days, underlining the growing importance of public transport in Slovenia’s fourth-largest city.
The expansion is also expected to significantly improve accessibility. Before the upgrade, around 8,000 residents lived more than a 15-minute walk from the nearest bus stop. Following the introduction of the new routes, that number is expected to fall to just over 2,000 people, representing less than five percent of Celje’s population of nearly 50,000.
Two electric buses and an electric van entered service on 1 August, while a third electric bus is scheduled to join the fleet later this autumn. The electric van will primarily operate in less densely populated parts of the municipality, further extending public transport coverage while supporting Celje’s broader sustainability goals.
