Some good news for cyclists and those who enjoy traveling around the islands in the offseason!
Split-Dalmatia County prefect Blaženko Boban organized a meeting with the mayors and heads of 11 island and coastal cities and municipalities, along with David Sopta, CEO of Jadrolinija, to discuss lower ticket prices for bicycle transport, extending the summer timetable, and other transport issues for the inhabitants of island and coastal cities and municipalities, reports Dalmatinksi Portal on November 7, 2017.
“Cycling tourism in our county is experiencing growth, and we’ve spoken about how to significantly reduce the price of the Jadrolinija bicycle ticket or to make it free to transport bicycles to the islands. While preparations for the Strategy for Line Traffic is underway, we have agreed that we will address some of the problems that are not a part of our strategy, but are very important,” said Boban, who added that this group would meet again next year to prepare for the following season. The traffic problem in Milna on Brač, however, would be discussed at a separate meeting.
At the meeting, the participants chose one person in the County who will be responsible for coordinating between Jadrolinija and the island and coastal towns and municipalities. Ivana Marković, mayor of Supetar, praised this move because she believes many problems can be solved much faster this way. Marković also stressed the need to extend the summer timetable.
“The winter timetable is scheduled through October 1, and we still have tourists. It turns out that winter on the islands lasts eight months,” said Marković.
David Sopta said that Jadrolinija’s goal is to create a strong partnership with these cities and municipalities to better prepare for the busy season. Sopta also said he would consider the problems faced by the residents of the islands and find a way to contribute to the development of these areas.
“We are aware that this year we achieved a record season, and we are waiting for 12 million passengers to be transported. We also know about the exponential growth of cycling tourism in Split-Dalmatia County, and we want to help. We have seen how some companies have solved these problems, and we will try to create conditions on the technical side – to arrange certain areas that will be designated for carriers or bicycle storage depots on the ferries to the islands. We are also considering purchasing new catamarans. We will try to see how we can extend the summer timetable and we will need to consult the Agency for Coastal and Maritime Traffic, through them only can we find a solution,” Sopta explained.
Jadrolinija has extended the lines to Hvar this year and will now strategically prepare suggestions for ways to extend the season permanently.
Translated from Dalmatinksi Portal
