Project partners gathered in Pivka, Slovenia, for the third RAISE-CE project meeting, hosted by the Municipality of Pivka. The event provided an important opportunity to review the progress of project activities and pilot actions across Central Europe, exchange experiences, and coordinate the next phases of implementation.
During the meeting, partners presented updates from their pilot areas, discussed challenges and opportunities, and shared recommendations to further improve planned activities. The discussions also focused on upcoming project milestones, ensuring a coordinated approach among all participating regions.
A key element of the programme was a site visit to Pivka Railway Station, one of the project’s pilot locations. Participants gained first-hand insight into the local context, exploring the station’s history, current passenger demand, existing infrastructure, and its strategic role as a regional transport hub. The visit highlighted the importance of strengthening connections between surrounding settlements and the railway station in order to encourage greater use of public transport.
Particular attention was given to the upcoming implementation of a Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) service in the Municipality of Pivka. The pilot action will enable residents to book transport between their homes and the railway station, improving accessibility in areas where conventional public transport services are limited. The discussion underlined the potential of flexible and user-oriented mobility solutions to reduce car dependency and reinforce the role of railway stations as key mobility hubs for local communities.
The RAISE-CE journey now moves from planning to implementation. Over the coming months, partners will continue working closely with local stakeholders and residents to test, evaluate, and refine their pilot solutions. Through this collaborative process, RAISE-CE aims to support the transformation of rural railway stations into accessible, well-connected, and community-oriented hubs, contributing to more sustainable and inclusive mobility systems across Central Europe.
Disclaimer
This publication has been developed within the RAISE-CE project, supported by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme with co-financing from the European Union. Its content is the sole responsibility of the authors and the project partnership and does not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme, its programme bodies or the European Union. Neither the programme authorities nor the European Union can be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.