SUSTANCE project boosts rural and cross-border mobility in Central Europe

The Interreg Central-Europe SUSTANCE project is working to improve public transport connectivity in peripheral and cross-border regions of Central Europe by introducing smarter and more flexible mobility solutions. By integrating digital tools and collaborative planning across Croatia, Italy, Slovenia and Hungary, the initiative targets areas where conventional transport networks are limited, offering more inclusive and sustainable travel options.

In August 2025, the Istrian Development Agency and local transport partners launched a new mobility app, MOBILITY PLUS, in Croatia’s Istria region. The app brings together public and private transport information, allowing passengers to plan routes, check schedules in real-time and purchase tickets directly from their smartphones, improving convenience and encouraging greater use of shared transport services.

Similarly, in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, an open-source web application has been developed to support demand-responsive transport (DRT) in the Valmarecchia and Valconca valleys. The system allows passengers to book rides online, while operators can dynamically manage routes and schedules through a dedicated backend and driver interface.

Together, these technological solutions implemented under the SUSTANCE project are harnessing digital innovation to strengthen sustainable urban mobility in regions that have long faced accessibility challenges, supporting more cohesive and resilient transport systems across Central Europe.

Author: Carla Giaume

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.