FORTIS: THE FORTIS PROJECT: AS FROM 24TH OCTOBER, THERE WILL BE A FREE BUS SERVICE LINKING TRIESTE AND KOPER

The service meets the needs that have arisen during the analysis and study phase of the project

This is a concrete action with a view to overcome the infrastructure gap in the Alpe Adria area and to improve the quality of the service and transport in this strategic area. These are some of the aims of the free bus service linking Koper and Trieste operating on Sundays as from 24th October 2021 until July 2022, with three trips per day in each direction. This service is an experimental initiative taken by the Municipality of Koper within the context of the FORTIS project, financed as part of the 2014-2020 Interreg V-A Italy-Slovenia Programme, by both the European Regional Development Fund as well as national funds. 

The Fortis project aims to make Alpe-Adria area a macro-region with its own EU funding programme, thus overcoming the current logic of bilateral agreements. In the last few months, an extensive study and analysis activity has been carried out, from which the need to intervene as a matter of priority emerged, following an in-depth study of the strengths and weaknesses of the existing network, on the lack of infrastructural connection networks supported by innovative logistic systems, designed and managed within the development framework of the European TEN T network. The improvement of the quality of transport services in the cross-border area, besides creating better living conditions for the citizens residing there, can contribute to reverse the trend of depopulation in these areas, enhancing their appeal, also in terms of tourism. The service meets these demands, which were also highlighted at the meeting held on 30th October last, during which the transport needs analysis was presented, carried out by the project partner, the Ljubljana Regional Development Agency. One of the solutions identified was the development of cross-border public transport linking Italy and Slovenia.