What it is
Smart Plan is the second phase of Novi Sad's mobility-improvement strategy, published in 2019. The document proposed renewing JGSP's bus fleet, considering tram service, adding public-transport lanes, simplifying fare zones, and introducing passenger information.
Buses
Smart Plan recommended buying 123 new buses by 2027 to lower the average fleet age, improve reliability, and raise service quality for passengers. According to 021's June 19, 2026 report, since 2019 JGSP has received 100 CNG buses and 10 electric solo buses - 110 vehicles from the planned purchase. JGSP director Milan Balac nevertheless says the company still needs another 30-50 buses; separate plans mention 30 solo buses in 2026 and up to 30 additional vehicles the following year.
Infrastructure and fares
Tram service has not been introduced. New bus lanes that Smart Plan proposed on Bulevar oslobodjenja, Jevrejska, part of Bulevar Mihajla Pupina, and Futoska are not currently planned: the city transport administration cites on-street parking and high construction costs. The fare system has been simplified only partly: a 2020 decision reduced the number of zones from five to four, although Smart Plan recommended two or three, and JGSP's current price list, according to 021, still has 12 different single-ticket prices. Electronic payment has arrived, but passengers must validate the card when entering and leaving the vehicle, which can lengthen bus stops.
Delivered and missing
Partly delivered: environmentally cleaner buses, electronic payment terminals, e-wallet cards, and a reduction in fare zones from five to four. Not delivered or not launched: the tram, broad expansion of bus lanes, a two- or three-zone fare model, and a fully reliable new fleet standard. A public-private partnership remains an open question: mayor Zarko Micin has spoken about talks with companies and a possible tender, but no concrete proposal had been presented by June 2026.
Current condition
021 describes visible deterioration in part of the bus fleet: over several months residents saw windows falling out, buses driving with open doors, and detached body panels. ASNS union leader at JGSP Vladimir Andric links the problems to maintenance and spare-parts procurement, while Milan Balac disputes that and says JGSP has about 210 serviceable buses against a need of around 195 for regular service. In 2025 JGSP carried just over 56.734 million passengers - 2.448 million fewer than a year earlier.
Why it matters
For Novi Sad residents this is not an abstract strategy, but a question of everyday access to the city. If buses age, are harder to maintain, sit in mixed traffic, and use a complicated fare grid, trips become slower and less predictable, and some people switch to cars. That worsens congestion and parking pressure - the same parking pressure the city now cites as a reason not to expand bus lanes.
Next deadline
The city is preparing a new Strategy for Intelligent Transport Systems, expected to be adopted by the end of 2026. According to the city administration as summarized by 021, preparation is monitored by an expert team led by Aleksandar Panjkovic from JP Urbanizam. It is not yet known how directly the new strategy will address public passenger transport.