Zagreb strike enters third day as limited ZET services run and court ruling looms

ZAGREB, 30 September 2026 – The strike by workers at Zagreb’s public transport operator ZET and Zagreb Holding entered its third day on Wednesday, with a limited number of trams and buses operating while waste collection remains heavily reduced.

Two trams were on Zagreb’s streets on Wednesday morning, while buses were operating on services connecting Borongaj with KBC Zagreb and on the express route between Velika Gorica and Zagreb’s Main Railway Station.

Four buses on route 228 Borongaj–KBC Zagreb and the 330 express service between Velika Gorica and the Main Station would alsp operate on Wednesday, alongside two trams on routes 12 and 7.

The reduced service follows two days of major disruption to public transport across the Croatian capital. On Tuesday, only a small number of trams and buses were operating, although additional buses were later introduced on the route to KBC Zagreb.

Waste collection also affected

The strike is also continuing to affect waste collection in Zagreb. 20 Čistoća vehicles were operating in the city on Wednesday.

Several workers with two vehicles were also positioned at the Jakuševec waste management site as a precaution because of the large amount of accumulated waste and the risk of fire, he said.

Waste collection was significantly reduced during the first two days of the strike, with the limited services focused on essential operations.

The Zagreb County Court is expected to issue key decisions on Wednesday following separate legal proceedings brought by ZET and Zagreb Holding.

On Tuesday, the court rejected requests from both ZET and Zagreb Holding for temporary measures that would have banned the strike while the legal proceedings continue. The final decisions on the legality of the strike are expected on Wednesday morning.

Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević said on Tuesday that defining essential services through arbitration was currently the priority. He said the court’s decisions rejecting temporary bans did not in themselves mean that the strike had been declared lawful.

The city has maintained that essential services, particularly transport to hospitals, must continue during the industrial action.

The strike began at 3.30am on Monday after negotiations between the unions and the managements of ZET and Zagreb Holding failed to produce an agreement on new collective agreements.

The unions have been seeking improved material and employment conditions, including a higher pay base. Earlier negotiations and a subsequent conciliation process failed to resolve the dispute.

For Zagreb residents, the immediate impact remains concentrated on public transport and waste collection, with only a fraction of normal ZET services operating.

The court decisions expected on Wednesday could determine the next stage of the dispute, while negotiations between the unions and the city remain unresolved.

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On Wednesday, the Zagreb County Court declared the strikes of ZET and Zagreb Holding both to be illegal.