Monday, 29. 8. 2011

To grosuplje with lpp

On Monday 29 August 2011, Ljubljana Passenger Transport (LPP)'s new line 3G starts running, with buses going to Grosuplje.

The new line gives travellers with an Urbana card on the route GrosupljeŠkofljica – Ljubljana the option to get to Ljubljana more than 50% cheaper than the price they are currently paying. Journeys will operate within the existing timetable framework with additional evening frequency.

Route 3G will connect Grosuplje with Ljubljana on working days between 4.30 and 23.40, on Saturdays between 5.00 and 23.40, and on Sundays and holidays between 5.00 and 23.40.

3G's route is a partial change from the existing inter-district service which starts at Ljubljana bus station; 3G has a circular route from Bavarski dvor – Navje – Železna cesta – Bežigrad – Razstavišče – Bavarski dvor – Konzorcij – Drama and then towards Rudnik, Škofljica and onwards to Grosuplje, where the line is extended into the Brinje district via a circular route Grosuplje – Mrzle njive – Rubin – Pri mostu – Brinje – Maistrova – Adamičeva – Adamičev spomenik – Pod gozdom and then onwards towards Ljubljana.

In line with the desire to accede to the wishes of passengers, the line has been designed so that it no longer runs along Tivolska cesta but through the very city centre and almost all the way up to midnight.

For Urbana card holders the line is good value for money and in some cases it is 50% cheaper. Passengers in education from now on will pay €51 for a monthly pass and general travellers €60. Both monthly passes include use of inter-district services and all city public transport routes. Previously, a monthly pass on inter-district services from Grosuplje to Ljubljana for those in education cost €89, and passengers holding both passes had to pay an additional €17 (€11 with combined tickets) to use city public transport. With an Urbana card, passengers can now travel within the territory of the City of Ljubljana, namely to Škofljica, with line 3G for €0.80. Payment for travel from Škofljica to Grosuplje will be, for passengers that do not have a periodic Urbana card, in cash at unchanged prices until the implementation of a zoning system. The upgrade of a zoning system by the end of the year will also enable passengers that hold an Urbana card cash-free payment. The bus fares will actually be lower for these passengers and they will be able to transfer to LPP city public transport buses without extra payment within 90 minutes. 3G line users will be able to refill their Urbana cards at all Urbana sales points.

Route 3G is the result of successful co-operation between the City of Ljubljana, Grosuplje local authority and LPP and is a logical consequence of the long-term goal of setting up integrated public transport based on zones within which passengers travel with a single ticket. Integrated public transport is the answer to the needs of people in the modern world and is aimed at moving the active population from travel in private vehicles to using public transport.

Line 3G is also part of the implementation strategies in which LPP and the City of Ljubljana offer public transport to the suburban municipalities that have also allowed the introduction of the Urbana contactless smart card.