A little less congestion coming to the centre of Dubrovnik.
In less than four months, Dubrovnik’s historic centre will be accessible only on foot or with a prepaid parking ticket. The idea to remove cars and leave the free space to citizens, pedestrians and cyclists was presented on Wednesday by Dubrovnik Mayor Andro Vlahušić and experts from the Faculty of Traffic Sciences Marko Šoštarić and Ivan Dadić. The plan is to restrict the traffic for buses, hotel guests and those who stop for a day to visit Dubrovnik. “We are doing it to reduce congestion”, said Vlahušić and added that the necessary technology and solutions exist, and the city authorities just have to find courage to implement them. “I have enough courage!” said the Mayor, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on December 17, 2015.
His vision of the city liberated from the exhaust gases will be implemented as early as March. “For the citizens of Dubrovnik, who have passes which cost 60 kuna, parking behind the ramp will be free of charge. The only two places where you will be able to leave the zone will be two exit ramps. Those who do not have passes will have to pay 40 kuna per hour at the exits”, Deputy Mayor Željko Raguž explained.
“Our goal is for those people in Dubrovnik who pay 60 kuna per month to be able to get to their destinations. We also do not want tourists to wander the streets in their cars. We are going to make them use buses and taxis more. If they do enter the zone, they will have to pay 40 kuna per hour, whether they find a parking space or not”, Deputy Mayor Raguž said. And what about people who rent their apartments and own a garage? “Weekly tickets will cost 200 kunas for guests who rent a room in the zone. Then they will be able to park on the street or at the owner’s home”, Raguž said. “Like in other European destinations, cars and buses will not be able to enter the city centre”, the deputy mayor added.
There will be some changes at sea as well. Vlahušić confirmed that the City will buy a hundred boats which will be rented at favourable prices. So, tourists will be able to reach the old town in several different ways: on foot, in cars (if they buy expensive parking tickets), on scooters, or by boats.
