Slovenian Railways is launching a new passenger service running from Villa Opicina above Trieste in Italy to Rijeka in Croatia and back via Slovenia. The new service, a result of cooperation with Croatian and Italian partners, will run daily from 24 April to 30 September this year.

The Slovenian rail operator says the new service is being established as part of the European SUSTANCE Interreg Central Europe project in cooperation with Croatian Railways Passenger Transport and an Italian project partner.

A new Stadler electric multiple unit will connect Villa Opicina and Rijeka on a direct service for the first time, without passengers having to change trains. It will make four stops in Slovenia; Sežana, Divača, Pivka and Ilirska Bistrica.

"The aim of the project is to improve the connectivity of the two regions and to test the feasibility of using public transport for tourism purposes on this route," the Slovenian rail operator says in the announcement on its website.

The company notes that the service is subject to change in case of construction works on the lines, asking the passengers to check the timetable before travelling.

The price of one-way ticket from Villa Opicina to Rijeka is €8 for adults.

Slovenian Railways has been enhancing passenger links with neighbouring countries, recently introducing six new pairs of direct trains linking Ljubljana to Graz and Villach in Austria.