by InTrieste
In a pivotal moment at the Blue Lounge of the municipal palace, the mayor, Roberto Dipiazza, alongside municipal assessor for Territorial Policies, Michele Babuder, regional assessor for Infrastructure and Territory, Cristina Amirante, and regional councilor Claudio Giacomelli, the architect of an amendment securing additional resources for local maritime public transport, unveiled a funding injection of €1.35 million destined to fortify maritime public transit.
Expressing commendation, Mayor Roberto Dipiazza lauded Regional Assessor Cristina Amirante and Fratelli d’Italia Regional Councilor Claudio Giacomelli for the substantial €1.35 million funding supporting initiatives aimed at enhancing local maritime public transport.
“The issue of overcrowded land routes along the Barcola Riviera during the summer has been a concern, tackled promptly with Trieste Trasporti. We appreciate the Region’s interest in a service already in action,” stated Territorial Policies Assessor Michele Babuder. “Barcola has become a focal point, not only in the hearts of Triestians but also for new initiatives. Collaboration with the Region will undoubtedly enhance our governance efforts.”
Regional Assessor Cristina Amirante highlighted the Region’s decision to significantly fund maritime and riverine public transport services, reaching a total of €1.35 million with recent amendments. “We firmly believe in incentivizing the development of sustainable mobility through alternative projects to traditional road and rail methods,” she remarked.
“We are now listening to all municipalities interested in expanding their maritime and riverine services,” added Assessor Cristina Amirante. “New routes will complement existing ones, with schedules designed for favorable connections to reach additional destinations.”
The regional funding, totaling €1.35 million, will activate nine lines (four traditional and five intra-Barcola), with a transport capacity exceeding 100,000 people. This transformative project is set to reshape the habits of Triestians and the traffic dynamics along the Barcola Riviera during the summer season.
Fratelli d’Italia Regional Councilor Claudio Giacomelli expressed gratitude to the FVG Region and specifically Assessor Cristina Amirante for initiating experimental, off-contract maritime public transport early in her term. “An amendment to the regional budget, co-signed by me and League group leader Antonio Calligaris, aims to further enhance local maritime public transport,” Giacomelli explained.
“The summer period on the Barcola Riviera poses significant traffic and pollution challenges. Trieste Trasporti has been providing a service for years, transporting 67,000 people annually from Trieste to Sistiana,” he continued. “One proposal suggests a service running from June to September, extending until the first Sunday of October for the Barcolana. This is a service we offer to Mayor Dipiazza and Territorial Policies Assessor Michele Babuder.”
The project includes activating a maritime line from Molo IV to Miramare Castle, with multiple stops between Porto Vecchio and Barcola. The proposed five daily trips would complement the existing eight during the summer season on the Trieste-Barcola-Grignano-Sistiana route. With a 10-trip subscription, the cost would be comparable to a regular ticket.
This new line won’t replace the current Trieste-Barcola-Grignano and Sistiana route, which will continue its four daily runs. Instead, it will add to, and be fully compatible with, both sporting activities of rowing clubs and beachgoing pursuits. The activation of this line marks a promising step toward a maritime transformation for Trieste’s public transit system.
