The following table summarises the data to be collected:

Former Mayor: Free Bus on Vršič Cost Taxpayers Half a Million Euros The former mayor of Bovec, Siniša Germovšek, has raised serious concerns over the costs incurred during the recent infrastructure project on Vršič Pass, claiming that the so-called “free bus” service used to manage traffic during construction cost taxpayers half a million euros. The issue has sparked public debate over transparency and accountability in the management of the roadworks, which were carried out under the supervision of the Slovenian Infrastructure Agency (DRSI). According to Germovšek’s detailed statement published online, the construction work on Vršič Pass was initially justified as being delayed due to harsh winter conditions and excessive parking by tourists. However, he argues that this explanation was misleading and that the real reason for the prolonged construction period was the deliberate dismantling of existing parking areas on the summit of the pass and their conversion into construction waste depots. This action, he claims, created a chaotic situation that required emergency measures, including the deployment of a free shuttle bus to transport visitors through the unfinished construction site. The DRSI issued a permit for partial closure of the national road on April 24, 2026, allowing one-way traffic with a temporary traffic light system valid from May 4 to June 18, 2026. This is standard practice for less busy roads during peak tourist season. However, Germovšek points out that the weather conditions in the following months did not justify the continued delays. In fact, the winter of 2026 was unusually mild, making it possible to resume construction as early as March. The brief snowfall in late May, he notes, does not constitute a true winter condition. A central question posed by Germovšek is who authorized and permitted the destruction of functional parking spaces on the summit of the pass and the subsequent transformation of these sites into construction waste depots, despite the existence of two nearby construction depots. He questions why the continuation of construction work was not planned immediately after favorable conditions arose, and why the contractor failed to comply with DRSI guidelines regarding the organization of the construction site. Additionally, he raises doubts about whether the DRSI permit number 37166-376/2026 was revoked and replaced with a new one based solely on the sign “Construction Site, 800 meters.” Germovšek further criticizes the lack of enforcement by oversight bodies and inspections, noting that media reports on the problematic state of the pass were ignored. He highlights repeated statements from local officials suggesting that even though the work was incomplete, the public would eventually accept the new system. He calls this a form of deception, arguing that nothing was actually completed, and that the claim of a new system being introduced on June 15, 2026, was false since there were no functioning parking areas left. He emphasizes that the so-called “new regime” prohibiting parking on the pass was never truly implemented. Instead, the authorities resorted to using a free bus service to manage the flow of vehicles through the unfinished construction zone, resulting in a financial burden of 500,000 euros on the taxpayer-funded budget. He urges the public to demand information on the total cost of the entire project, its sponsor, and the process by which funds were approved for both the project and the free bus service. Another point of contention is the exclusion of online cameras during the construction phase. These cameras, which are widely available in the area, could have provided crucial data for decisions about whether to cross the pass. Germovšek states that he has yet to receive an answer to this question and suspects they will be restored once the construction is complete. In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the Vršič Pass project continues to raise questions about transparency, accountability, and the justification for public spending. As the construction nears completion, the need for clear answers remains urgent.