REGULAR BUS SERVICES OPERATE ALONG ZAGREB-LIPOVAC HWY

SLAVONSKI BROD, Jan 4 (Hina) - Heavy traffic has been registered along the Zagreb-Lipovac highway, which runs through UNPA West in Croatia, with personal cars and an increased number of trucks and buses. Around 17,000 vehicles passed the 27-kilometre-long highway section from both directions between December 21 (when the highway reopened after 40-month blockade because of Serb occupation) and 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 3. Some 17,000 vehicles were registered along the highway, most were cars, compared to 1840 trucks and 110 buses. Along the highway 2,380 cars traveled between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday. This was the highest number of vehicles passing the highway in day light hours so far. On Wednesday about 1,000 cars used the highway between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. from both directions, and 13 buses drove towards Zagreb. Several bus companies, based in eastern Croatia, have introduced regular passenger bus services to operate along the highway towards Zagreb. The highway reopening in the UNPA Section West, means that buses from eastern Croatia can reach Zagreb in two or two and a half hours instead of seven. Traffic was running smoothly with no incidents registered so far. (hina) mar sd mms 041727 MET jan 95