Episode 158
Dobar Dan!
It’s pretty hot for us over here at LLC HQ!
So no better time to complain about it and talk about the weather.
In this lesson Uncle Mike and Tony D, have some great new vocabulary to help you talk about whats going on outside.
Lesson
Weather forecast - Vremenska prognoza
Current weather - trenutno vrijeme
Celsius - celzijus
Degrees - stupnjeva
Southerly wind - jugo
Northerly wind - bura
Today it will be cloudy in Dalmatia. - U Dalmaciji će danas biti oblačno.
Highest daily temperature from 19 to 23 °C. - Najviša dnevna temperatura od devetnaest do dvadeset i tri stupnjeva.
Super Slatko Report
In this Super Slatko Report DJ MOE is going to talk our ears off on one of Zagrebs best modes of transportation, the ZET!
Picture yourself in Zagreb, the Croatian capital, chances are you’ll spot bright blue trams humming through the streets before you even taste your first cup of strong coffee. That blue tram you just saw is the ZET—the Zagreb Electric Tram, Zagrebs answer to a city public transport system. It all began in 1891 with horse-drawn trams (literal horsepower), this is before electrification came in 1910, making Zagreb one of the earlier adopters of electric tram technology in Europe. The project was spearheaded by forward-thinking city leaders who wanted to modernize Zagreb, at this time part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The trams weren’t just about smart practical transport, it was also a symbol that Zagreb was a forward thinking top European city. When the electric trams launched in 1910, Zagreb was a rapidly growing city at the edge of modernity. The Austro-Hungarian period was all about progress, and the tram system was both practical and political—an investment in infrastructure and Zagrebs future. Fast-forward to today, and the tram is still utterly necessary. Cars clog the narrow streets, parking is a nightmare, and the tram remains the most efficient way to cross town. In other words: ZET isn’t a nostalgic relic. It’s a daily essential, every bit as important in 2025 as it was in 1910.
Today, ZET operates 19 daytime lines and 4 nighttime lines, covering over 120 kilometers of track (74.5 miles), boasting more than 250 tram stops. The network stretches from the outer neighborhoods into the very heart of Ban Jelačić Square, making it as central to daily life as burek. Geographically, the trams glide mostly over level ground—the city center being a flat basin—but the trams do brush the foothills around Medvednica Mountain, giving a gentle contrast to the ride. Roughly 500,000 people use the trams daily, while annual ridership runs into the hundreds of millions.
The Modern ZET trams run on electricity supplied through overhead wires, with pantographs collecting the -current to power the motors. Pantographs are those self adjusting frameworks that sit atop trams and trolleys transmitting electricity from over head power lines. The earliest models were clunky, wooden, and looked a little like rolling pianos, but today’s fleet includes sleek, low-floor trams designed for accessibility and comfort. Zagreb was also ahead of its time in some ways: it began experimenting with articulated trams (those accordion-style ones) relatively early to handle heavier passenger loads.
Fun fact: Zagreb is one of the few cities in Europe where trams run right through the central pedestrian square—meaning you can sip your espresso at a kafic in Jelačić Square and practically reach out to touch the tram as it rolls by.
New trams were introduced in the 1970s, more efficient models arrived in the 1990s, and in the 2000s Zagreb began rolling out state-of-the-art TMK 2200 trams—they’re sleek, blue, and unmistakably modern. The network has expanded to reach suburbs and outer districts, and digital signage now keeps riders updated on arrivals. Like any transit system, it’s had its share of bumps—literally and figuratively—but ZET has remained remarkably reliable, adapting to the needs of a growing city while retaining its iconic role.
So, what’s it like to ride ZET today? It’s actually pretty easy. You can buy single-ride paper tickets from kiosks, or load up a contactless card called a ZET karta for multiple journeys. And there are also mobile app options for the tech-savvy. Tickets need to be validated in the little machines once you board, and yes—inspectors do check. Operating hours run from early morning (around 4 a.m.) until midnight, with special night trams keeping the city connected after hours. The trams won’t take you directly to the airport (buses will cover that portion), but within the city, the network is extensive and you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a route that would work for your needs. Compared to the early 1900s, fares are relatively cheap, the trams are faster, and comfort has been made a priority, it’s a great option for getting where you need to go.
To wrap it up—ZET is more than just blue carriages on rails. It’s Zagreb’s moving stage, carrying workers, students, families, and tourists alike across the city. From its Austro-Hungarian horse-drawn roots to its sleek, modern fleet, the tram has been there for every chapter of Zagreb’s growth. So if you’re still picturing yourself in Zagreb, what are you waiting for?! Pick up a ZET karta and go check out the sights. From what I hear, riding the ZET is the fastest way to feel like a local, the smoothest way to glide towards the city’s landmarks, not to mention one of the most affordable ways to get from A to ZET.
And that’s it for the Super Slatko Report!
