Free Public Transport Brings 36,000 Passengers to Car-Free Bled in July

This summer in Bled is once again defined by free public transport, offering visitors and residents alike the freedom to explore the town and its surroundings. Passengers can switch freely between routes, creating journeys that suit them. Positive feedback and returning passengers encourage us each year to expand services and uncover new ways to reach Bled’s hidden corners.

Demand for organised transport continues to grow year on year, as the figures show – this July, Bled Bus and Radovljica Bus carried more than 16,000 passengers, compared to around 11,000 in the same month last year. These services are not only for tourists; many local residents also make regular use of them for day-to-day travel during the busy summer season.

© Boris Pretnar

Bled Bus: Over 10,000 Passengers in July
Bled Bus operates three routes linking the most important points in and around the town, giving easy access to the lake, nearby villages (Seliše, Zasip, Ribno, Bohinjska Bela), Bled Castle and Pokljuka.
In July, the lake circuit route carried 3,957 passengers, with ten daily departures using a 30-seat bus – an average of 128 passengers per day.
The village route, connecting Zasip, Ribno and Bohinjska Bela, carried 3,228 passengers during the month, averaging 104 passengers per day.

The Pokljuka route offers two daily departures from Seliše to Rudno polje and back, with space for up to five standard bicycles – enabling a more active way to explore this scenic plateau. In July, the route averaged 107 passengers per day.

Radovljica Bus: From Historic Town Centre to the Lake, Car-Free
This year, a new route – Radovljica Bus – joined the Bled Bus network. It was established by Turizem in kultura Radovljica and Turizem Bled, linking Radovljica with Bled, with stops at Lesce railway station and the Šobec and River Camp Bled campsites.

This connection is more than just a logistical improvement; it’s an open invitation to discover a town rich in cultural heritage, culinary specialties and a charming old centre. It opens new possibilities for visitors to extend their exploration beyond Bled to Radovljica and its surroundings, while giving Radovljica residents easy access to the lakeside events in Bled.

The service also eases pressure on regular bus routes and reduces traffic congestion between Radovljica, Lesce and Bled, while promoting travel without a private car. In its very first summer month, Radovljica Bus was warmly welcomed – averaging 183 passengers per day and carrying 5,695 in July alone, showing it has quickly found a place in the area’s daily life.

© TD Gorje

Electric Vintgar Shuttle: A Quiet Route to a Natural Gem
The Electric Vintgar Shuttle takes visitors directly to the Vintgar Gorge, where access for private vehicles is restricted. This approach protects the fragile natural environment while improving the visitor experience – avoiding the need for parking, traffic queues, or walking along busy roads.

It’s a form of mobility that respects nature, delivering passengers comfortably to the starting point of their visit. The service is extremely popular during the summer months – in July, around 650 passengers a day chose the electric shuttle from Bled’s Central Bus Station. Three buses running every 20 minutes provided a smooth connection to and from the gorge, helping to reduce environmental impact and preserve one of the area’s most visited natural attractions.

© Boris Pretnar

Visitors arriving by public transport can reach key sights without hassle, avoiding traffic and parking stress. This mobility model delivers a triple benefit: easing road congestion, reducing environmental pressure, and giving visitors and locals a more comfortable way to explore. The combination of ecological access to Vintgar Gorge, links to Pokljuka, Radovljica and surrounding villages proves that Bled can be experienced without a private car. Accessible, well-planned mobility has become a tried-and-tested solution – enriching the destination experience while maintaining balance between the life of the town and the demands of tourism.