Celje is set to significantly expand and modernize its public transportation system as the city introduces its first electric buses and several new routes on August 1. The upgrade represents the biggest expansion of the Celebus network since its launch seven years ago and is designed to make public transport more accessible, convenient and environmentally friendly for residents.
The changes will see all five existing Celebus routes adjusted, while four additional lines will be introduced to improve coverage across the city. Celje, which has a population of almost 50,000, expects the expanded network to dramatically reduce the number of residents who live more than a 15-minute walk from a bus stop. The number is projected to fall from approximately 8,000 people to just over 2,000, meaning fewer than 5% of residents will remain outside convenient walking distance of public transport.
Celje Electric Buses Expand the Celebus Network
The fleet is also receiving a major environmental upgrade. Two electric buses and an electric van will join Celebus on August 1, with a third electric bus scheduled to enter service in the autumn. The van will be used in less densely populated parts of the municipality, helping extend public transport coverage to areas where conventional routes may be less efficient.
The new electric buses are 9.5 meters long and can carry up to 65 passengers, giving them almost twice the capacity of the buses currently operating in the Celebus fleet. They have also been designed with accessibility in mind, including features for passengers with mobility impairments as well as blind and partially sighted users.
Service frequency is expected to improve in the busiest parts of the city, where buses will operate every 20 minutes. In areas with lower passenger numbers, schedules will instead be adjusted according to demand. Several existing circular routes will also be converted into standard lines, creating a network that the municipality says will better reflect how residents actually use public transportation.
The modernization comes with a significant financial commitment. According to Mayor Matija Kovač, Celje has invested €2.2 million in the wider Celebus upgrade, including the purchase of three electric buses, an electric van and the construction of charging infrastructure. Slovenia’s national Eco Fund has contributed €1.4 million toward the investment, helping the city accelerate the transition toward cleaner public transportation.
The project is also bringing new digital services to passengers. From August, Celebus routes and timetables will be available through Google Maps, allowing residents to plan journeys more easily. Passengers will also be able to use the Centralka application and card system, further simplifying access to public transport and making everyday journeys more convenient.
A Greener Future for Public Transport in Celje
The modernization arrives as Celebus approaches an important milestone of its own. Nomago, the company operating Celje’s urban passenger transport under a concession, expects the system to reach its two-millionth passenger around the time of the network expansion.
Celje’s investment therefore represents more than simply the purchase of new buses. By combining electric vehicles, additional routes, improved frequency, digital journey planning and greater accessibility, the municipality is attempting to create a public transport system that is easier to use and better suited to future needs. The expansion could also encourage more residents to choose buses for everyday journeys, helping reduce reliance on private vehicles and supporting the city’s wider environmental objectives.
With the first electric buses entering service and four new lines being added, August 1 marks a significant new chapter for Celebus. If the expanded network delivers the expected improvements in accessibility and reliability, Celje could provide an example of how smaller European cities can modernize public transportation while simultaneously making it greener and more inclusive.
