Serious Problems on Evening Bus Routes
The situation on the buses during late evening hours is extremely unpleasant (bus 47) and often feels completely out of control. Some passengers damage or break equipment, stick chewing gum onto seats and other surfaces, and regularly use e-cigarettes, generating cloud of smoke on board in the presence of other passengers.
Unfortunately, complaints do not seem to be taken seriously. I have filed several complaints, both by phone and by email. On some occasions, customer service calls back and promises that the issue will be addressed, but in practice, the problems continue.
In the evening, there are also frequent incidents involving groups of young people (approximately 18–25) who fight and behave aggressively on the bus, particularly toward the back seats. They bang on the windows, kick and push the seats, fight among themselves, and shout loudly.
There are also significant problems with the reliability and professionalism of the service. Drivers can sometimes be short-tempered or lose their temper even when passengers politely ask about delays. I have also encountered drivers who spend significant portions of the journey talking on the phone or making video calls while driving, which is highly concerning and distracting. I haven't seen this anywhere in the world.
The onboard information is often unreliable as well. Electronic displays showing arrival times can change repeatedly - for example, from 2 minutes to 6 or 10 minutes—making them difficult to rely on. Buses can be late by 10–20 minutes, particularly outside Ljubljana, during peak hours, and at certain times of the year. There are also occasions when buses fail to stop at scheduled stops, despite STOP light being turn on or miss stops altogether.
Another issue is the use of radio/music during journeys. Some drivers play radio stations featuring predominantly Serbian/Bosnian or broader Balkan music. While everyone has their own musical preferences, passengers should not be forced to listen to a driver's personal choice of music during a public transport journey. A neutral radio station, Slovenian programming, or simply no music would be much more appropriate.
The overall experience, especially during evening journeys, is extremely disruptive and makes travelling by bus feel unsafe, stressful, and unpleasant. Much more needs to be done to ensure that passengers can travel in a safe, respectful, reliable, and comfortable environment.
If you decide to use this service - as it covers much of the public transport network in Ljubljana and the surrounding areas—I strongly recommend avoiding late-night journeys when possible and, if you do travel in the evening, sitting toward the front of the bus.