A city in Western Romania wants to introduce public transport on its canal, which it wants to turn navigable, so as to improve traffic in the city.

The Timisoara Municipality will launch this summer a tender to purchase seven vaporettos that will ensure urban transport on the Bega Canal starting next year. They will be managed by the Public Transport Company and their main role will be to improve the traffic in the city, reports local Agerpres.

The City Hall started last year work to arrange the Bega Canal’s banks on the Timisoara section, to make it navigable. The project has a value of over RON 25 million (some EUR 5.6 million), with European funding.

"We are getting ready for introducing water transport in the city, as an alternative to the current public transport, and the creation of specific infrastructure on Bega Canal. Ticket offices will be set up, as well as nine boarding points," said the city's mayor, cited by Agerpres.

By reducing the road traffic, the level of pollution is also expected to decrease in the city.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Wikipedia)