The tricky road to sustainable mobility in Bohinj

The start of a new year is a time for reflection—a chance to look back on what we’ve achieved and consider how we can do even better. For Turizem Bohinj, mobility remains one of our top priorities, so we wanted to take a closer look at our summer shuttles, the backbone of our sustainable mobility efforts.

Let’s begin with some key figures from last summer:

• 31,192 tickets sold, including 4,699 for children and 1,044 for residents
• Over 59,000 passengers transported
• 8 shuttle lines in operation
• 370 bicycles carried on the line to Pokljuka
• More than 450 000 overnight stays from June to September

These numbers are impressive, but beyond them, there’s a deeper story to tell—one of innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to sustainability.  It’s a story of progress, but also one with challenges yet to overcome. Together, we’re shaping the future of mobility in Bohinj—one step, one shuttle, one ride at a time.

A Year of Change and Innovation

2024 was a pivotal year for Bohinj’s summer shuttles. We introduced a brand-new ticketing system. For just 2 euros, a ticket granted unlimited access to all eight lines for 24 hours. Children under 15 years old, Julian Alps Card holders and Bohinj residents could ride for free, ensuring accessibility and affordability for all.

We added a new line to improve coverage, while retiring two underutilized routes to focus on efficiency. Another innovation was the introduction of electric vans on two routes, offering on-demand rides bookable through the Toyota Go app. This system allowed us to meet passenger needs while avoiding the environmental and financial costs of running empty shuttles. However, what matters most is not the number of routes or technical details, but that people—tourists and locals alike—actually make use of them and choose to leave their cars behind.

As the ski season has begun, it’s a good reminder that our winter ski buses also provide a convenient, car-free alternative.

 

Comparing Success Across the Years

Our shuttle system continues to evolve each year, making direct comparisons between seasons a bit of a challenge. With the introduction of the new ticketing system in 2024, one ticket now grants access to multiple rides, complicating the measurement of individual passengers.

Despite this, the upward trend in usage over the years is clear. In 2022, the shuttles transported approximately 53,332 passengers. That number rose significantly in 2023, reaching 74,731 passengers, and in 2024, we estimate that close to 60,000 passengers made use of the service.

While these numbers highlight steady demand and the growing role of the shuttles in sustainable mobility, they still represent only a small portion of the total number of tourists who visit Bohinj during the summer.

The Ones Who Make It Possible

None of this would be achievable without funding from the Municipality of Bohinj which is the primary funder of the summer shuttles, covering the majority of the nearly €280,000 cost. Additional support comes from Triglav National Park and Turizem Bohinj itself, while ticket sales accounted for only 17% of the total funding.

Our efforts are further strengthened by our membership in the Alpine Pearls network, an alliance of destinations committed to sustainable mobility across the Alps. Since joining in 2017, this network has been a source of inspiration and collaboration, pushing us to innovate and improve each year. Sharing experiences with like-minded destinations helps us learn, grow and continuously raise the bar for eco-mobility.

 

Overcoming Challenges in 2024

No project is without its challenges, and 2024 was no exception. Technical glitches with the ticketing and reservation systems occasionally caused frustration, while the transition to a new ticketing system made it harder for us to assess the success of the change.

Some areas for improvement are restricted by the limitations of the bus providers we work with, such as the inability to allow dogs on board or improve accessibility for disabled passengers. These are ongoing discussions, and we hope to address them in the future.

The biggest challenge, however, lies in making the shuttles an attractive option for all visitors and ensuring the information reaches everyone. While 60,000 passengers is a significant number, it remains small compared to the 450,000 overnight stays recorded in Bohinj during the summer months—not to mention the thousands of day visitors who are not accounted for. The reality is that most tourists still rely heavily on their cars. Parking lots remain crowded in peak season, traffic persists and cars are ever-present in the environment.

Shaping Behavior for a Car-Free Bohinj

We know the shift to public transport requires a change in mindset. For many, the idea of vacation is about relaxation, and driving their own car often feels like the easiest choice—until they’re stuck in traffic or struggling to find a parking spot that costs €3 per hour. By that point, it’s often too late to reconsider.

Behavior change is at the heart of what we strive for.  We aim to show that a car-free holiday in Bohinj, the Julian Alps, or Slovenia as a whole is not only possible but enjoyable. Opting for shuttles doesn’t limit mobility or freedom—it expands the experience, giving time to enjoy the scenery while reducing the environmental impact. But we still need to improve how we communicate our offer to most, making it as simple and appealing as possible. And communicating with tourists is inherently difficult—everyone gets their information from different sources, not everyone plans ahead, and few want to spend precious time researching all their options while on vacation. The task is even harder for those unfamiliar with public transport, as it can feel daunting or scary. That’s why we experiment with different approaches across the years, refining and improving each time. Change takes time, but we’re committed to creating a future where car-free tourism is the norm, not the exception.

 

Why It Matters

Our mobility efforts are about much more than moving people from one place to another, it’s about preserving the things that make Bohinj such a special place to live and visit– its natural beauty and vibrant community. It’s about contributing—on our scale—to reducing global emissions and reimagining tourism as something that doesn’t revolve around cars or even planes. It’s about proving that change is possible and inspiring others to do the same.

Bohinj faces the dual reality of tourism: while visitor numbers bring economic benefits, they also create pressures on the environment, infrastructure and the quality of life for residents. Every shuttle ride, however, is a step toward easing these pressures. For residents, it means quieter days, cleaner air and a better quality of life. For visitors, it means stress-free exploration—no traffic jams, no parking struggles and the freedom to immerse themselves in the beauty of Bohinj sustainably.

 

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who support our mobility efforts over the years—whether by riding, sharing, or spreading the word. everyone choices can make a real difference. At Turizem Bohinj, we take our responsibility seriously to offer sustainable mobility options and we will keep pushing towards that goal in 2025 and beyond.

All information about current transport, organized lines, and parking can be found at: https://promet.bohinj.si/

 

written by Élise Bouhélier, January 2025