The fenced parking lots at the lower station of the Pohorje cable car and Hotel Habakuk, managed by the company Marprom from the JHMB Group, will soon be equipped with new hardware and software. This will make the parking lots at the base of Maribor Pohorje, which are increasingly busy, even more user-friendly.
The replacement of the existing hardware and software with new ones at the Pohorje cable car and Habakuk parking lots is expected to be completed by the end of August. Despite the works, which will include the installation of new entry and exit terminals, barriers, and automatic pay stations, the parking lots will remain fully operational.
Both locations will be equipped with the same technology that has been in use for some time at the fenced parking lots in the city center (on Mlinski and Sodni streets and Rakušev Square), which are managed by Marprom. Thus, users of the parking lots under Pohorje will also have access to some modern services; among other things, cameras for recognizing car license plates will be installed, allowing for contactless entry and exit. It will also be possible to pay for parking at the exit terminal using a credit card, which will be particularly beneficial for visitors with mobility impairments. Integration with the Easy Park app will also be implemented.
After updating the hardware and software, another change will follow at the Pohorje cable car and Habakuk parking lots in September: starting from September 1, 2024, holders of all daily one-way and return cable car tickets will no longer be entitled to free parking. This decision was mainly made because the cost of parking for longer (all-day) periods matches or even exceeds the price of a single ride with the cable car, which is not economically sustainable.
Hikers will still have access to free parking for up to 2 hours under Hotel Arena, while all holders of daily cycling and skiing tickets and all personalized tickets for the cable car, skiing, and bike park will continue to be entitled to free use of the parking lots under the Pohorje cable car and Hotel Habakuk.
Additionally, under Pohorje, there will remain some parking spaces in the municipal blue zone intended for free short-term parking. However, we suggest visitors choose a convenient and affordable journey to the lower station of the Pohorje cable car by taking the city bus line 6 Vzpenjača. This is the first fully electrified line with the latest electric buses.