Croatian Railways introduce free train travels for students and children
As of October 1, a pilot project of free public railway transport for children and students of primary and secondary schools in Croatia will start.
The project will run until the end of next year and includes unlimited daily train journeys from the place of residence to the place of schooling and occasional trips, such as day trips, doctor’s trips, vacations and other trips.
Croatian Railways announced that the implementation of the pilot project will contribute to increasing the mobility of children and students, stopping emigration to urban areas and supporting demographic revitalization, improving the living standards of citizens, revitalizing passenger train traffic in underdeveloped areas and encouraging the use of rail transport. In addition, the development of integrated passenger transport will be significantly strengthened.
They further state that the implementation of this project, along with the investment cycle in the reconstruction of railway infrastructure and the purchase of new trains co-financed by EU funds, will have a positive impact on increasing the use and sustainability of rail transport, thus contributing to reducing the environmental impact of transport.
How to exercise the right to free travel?
Until starting primary school, children are entitled to free travel on the basis of an identification document stating the date of birth (e.g. health card, identity card, etc.). Tickets are picked up at the box office. In case the box office is not working, tickets are picked up on the train.
Primary and secondary school students are entitled to free travel on the basis of the Croatian Railways (HŽ) smart card.
When picking up a smart card at the box office, the student is assigned a profile for subscription and individual cards. The subscription ticket refers to the route on which the student travels daily from the place of residence to the place of schooling. Individual tickets are picked up at the box office, and in case the box office is not working, they are picked up on the train.
Children up to the age of 18 who do not attend high school are entitled to free travel on the basis of the Croatian Railways (HŽ) smart card.
Transition period from October 1 to November 1, 2021
Until 1 November 2021, students who do not have a smart card are entitled to free travel on the basis of an identification document stating the date of birth (e.g. health card, identity card, etc.). The identification document must be shown to the conductor on the train.
Source: Dalmatinskiportal.hr
