PM Bratušek for one day replaced her car with train and bike. Foto: MMC RTV SLO
PM Bratušek for one day replaced her car with train and bike. Foto: MMC RTV SLO

The prime minister, accompanied by her team, at 9.12 arrived to the sixth platform of the Ljubljana railway station. It was her contribution to the European Mobility Week, this year held under the slogan ‘Clean Air – It’s your move’.

"I live a completely normal life."

The team of the TV show Good morning was at the platform as well, and PM Bratušek told Ana Tavčar-Pirkovič that the drive by train was comfortable, and that she was used to this mode of public transport. "I used to travel by train from Kranj to Ljubljana quite often. I think it is much faster than by bus, or even by car; at least between these two cities the railway connection is good."

While walking through the railway station the Premier added she lived a completely normal life, therefore it would be quite possible for her to travel to her office, situated in the very centre of Ljubljana, by train. "But I would certainly have a problem, considering my working schedule, catching the train," she said. PM Bratušekis was facing a long and tiresome working day. She hopes the budget for the next year will finally be harmonized. In the evening she will join the excited crowd of thousands of fans in Stožice Hall and help support the Slovenian boys at the Quarter Final match of EuroBasket. "I believe in our victory," was her prediction.

Next the prime minister hired a bike from the BicikeLj System, put on her helmet and left in the direction of the government offices, accompanied by the flashes and cameras (as long as cameras followed her, she didn't ride the bike). She mentioned that she likes to ride a bike in her free time, simultaneously taking care of her health, and the cleaner environment. "Even small changes, like travelling in a carpool, riding a bike instead of going by car, or just walking, can improve the quality of life in towns," commented her cabinet.
Also the members of her team rode bikes to work.

Sunday - a car-free day
The annual European Mobility Week has been organized for 12 consecutive years. It started on Monday, and will end on Sunday, a car-free day. More than 2,000 European cities and towns are participating in this project. The aim of the campaign is to encourage citizens to improve their health and well-being by changing their daily mobility behaviour, and to raise their awareness of the impact of transport on local air quality. Air pollution has a number of negative impacts on the environment, as soil acidification, biodiversity loss, ozone depletion and climate changes.