Transport strike in Zagreb: how to get around and what to check on site

From 28 September 2026, a strike severely disrupted trams, buses and waste collection in Zagreb, with very limited minimum service. The court declared it illegal on 30 September, but service resumed in stages. This guide tells you what ran, how to reach KBC hospital, the airport or the station, and what to check before each journey. It remains useful in case of another strike.

What's happening: near-total strike since 28 September 2026

The strike began on Monday 28 September at 3:30 a.m., after failed negotiations between unions and the management of ZET and Zagreb Holding over new collective agreements^[1]. It affects ZET trams and buses, the Čistoća waste service, the Zrinjevac parks service and other branches of Zagreb Holding^[2]. Together, these companies employ over 9,000 workers^[3].

On the first day, during the first shift, only two trams and one bus were running, compared to around 200 trams and 300 buses in normal times^[4]. The unions are demanding better working conditions and materials, including a higher base salary^[1]. At ZET, they are calling for a 13% increase in base salary, while management is offering 4.5%, followed by an inflation adjustment^[5].

Legal situation and service resumption

On Wednesday 30 September, Zagreb County Court declared the strikes by ZET and Zagreb Holding illegal^[1]. For Zagreb Holding, the court found that the social peace clause of the collective agreement was still in force at the time the strike was called. It therefore ruled the strike premature and prohibited its continuation^[6].

Following this decision, Čistoća officially ended its strike and its trucks returned to the streets^[6]. Mayor Tomislav Tomašević stated that collection had already resumed and that transport would resume as soon as technical conditions were met^[6].

The fundamental disagreement between the city and the unions over workers' demands remains unresolved^[6]. According to sources consulted (30 September), no date for full ZET network resumption had been announced; the situation may have changed since. Check the service status on the ZET website (zet.hr) before each trip.

What's still running and how to get to the hospital

During the strike, minimum service changed from day to day. On 28 September, one tram was running on line 17, another on line 11, and one bus on line 330^[7]. On 30 September, the announced service included two trams on lines 12 and 7, four buses on line 228 Borongaj–KBC Zagreb, and express 330 between Velika Gorica and the central station^[1].

Getting to KBC Zagreb hospital

Bus 228 was restored on the Borongaj–Rebro–Borongaj route, following an agreement between ZET management and unions, so that patients and staff could reach KBC Zagreb university hospital^[4]. Private agency Kaspret travel also provides a free service on the same line from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.^[4]. If you have a medical appointment, plan to leave from Borongaj and allow extra time.

Funicular, cable car and parking

The Zagreb funicular was operating normally on the first day of the strike, 28 September^[7]. On the second day of the strike, it was running from 6 a.m. and the Sljeme cable car from 10 a.m.^[4]; check the schedule on the day of your trip. Parking services were less affected: Zagrebparking scan-a-car vehicles still monitor payment, all available tow trucks are in service and public car parks remain open^[7]. If you take your car, pay for parking as usual.

Alternatives: walking, cycling, carpooling, airport and train

According to local press, ZET records around 400,000 journeys per day^[4]. During the strike, residents travelled on foot, by bike, by carpooling or by teleworking^[4]. The City noted around 15% more cars on the roads than on the same Monday at the same time the previous week^[7]. The mayor called for carpooling and asked employers to allow teleworking where possible^[2].

Franjo Tuđman Airport

The airport is located about 17 km south-east of the centre. In normal times, the Pleso bus (line 290) connects it to Tomislav Square in about 30 minutes for €4. A taxi costs €30 to €45 and an Uber or Bolt €25 to €35^[8]. These prices are references outside the strike: they may differ during the action. No source documents the rates charged during the strike: ask the price or check the estimate in the app before boarding.

ZET fares on resumption

According to Mira Knowledge's latest check, a single ZET ticket costs €0.53 for 30 minutes in one direction, and a €1.06 ticket also exists, valid for 1 hour 30 minutes with transfers according to the Mira Knowledge sheet^[9]; confirm these fares on zet.hr. Tickets can be purchased at Tisak kiosks and in the ZET app^[9]. ZET's fare page could not be reviewed: confirm these prices on zet.hr.

Train

HŽ Putnički prijevoz announces special traffic regulation between Zagreb, Dugo Selo and Vrbovec from October 2 to 4, 2026^[10]. Check the details on hzpp.hr if you use this line.

Waste and municipal services

During the strike, workers only collected waste from hospitals, nurseries, nursing homes and other facilities where accumulation posed a direct health risk^[2]. On the first day, there was no household waste collection and Zagreb's recycling centres were closed^[7].

The mayor thanked residents who avoided leaving bulky items on the street^[6]. Keep yours at home until the service fully resumes. Collection resumed after the September 30 decision^[6].

Pitfalls, scams and points of caution

• A resumption that may still change: the September 30 decisions are rendered at first instance^[5]. The dissatisfied party may appeal to the Supreme Court, which must rule within five days^[5]. A strike ruled illegal therefore does not mean trams return immediately.
• Variable minimum service: the lines mentioned above correspond to specific days (September 28 and 30). Do not rely on them without checking on the day itself.
• Taxi and ride-hailing prices: no fares charged during the strike are confirmed by sources. Ask for an estimate before your trip.
• Long-distance buses: passenger rights under EU Regulation No. 181/2011 apply in Croatia, depending on the situation, to services of at least 250 km, with departure and arrival in the EU^[11]. They do not cover ZET trams and urban buses.
• In case of overbooking or departure delayed by more than 120 minutes, you may be entitled, depending on the carrier and situation, to continuation of your journey, rerouting or ticket reimbursement^[11].
• For a journey planned for more than 3 hours, assistance is due in case of cancellation or departure delayed by more than 90 minutes^[11].
• Complaint deadlines: file your complaint within 90 days of the transport date. The carrier will tell you within 30 days whether it is accepted, rejected or still under review, and must provide its final answer within 90 days of filing^[11].
• If the carrier does not settle your complaint or if its response does not satisfy you, you may contact the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure. It must respond to you no later than 30 days after receiving your written complaint^[11].
• No scams specific to this strike are documented in the sources consulted.

Where to get real-time information

The service level depends on the number of employees participating in the movement^[7]. Check ZET's website (zet.hr), the City of Zagreb's communications and HRT / Glas Hrvatske, which announced the strike arrangements^[2].

• Check zet.hr for lines in service on the day of your trip.
• For an appointment at KBC, leave from Borongaj and allow extra time.
• For the airport, keep a backup option (taxi or ride-hailing) and ask for the price before your trip.
• By train, check hzpp.hr for traffic regulations.
• Keep your long-distance bus ticket in case of a complaint.