Iraq launches river taxi to ease traffic in Baghdad
The river taxi in Baghdad. Photo: Rudaw News
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The first river taxi trips were launched in Baghdad as part of a government project to relieve traffic jams, where statistics indicate that there are more than eight million cars inside the capital, Baghdad.
The river taxi might be the most effective way to avoid traffic congestion. The Iraqi government started to carry out this project as one of the solutions to relieve traffic jams inside the Iraqi capital.
A fleet of environmentally friendly boats was provided by the Iraqi Ministry of Transport to inaugurate the first phase of the project.
The currently available river taxis include boats that can accommodate 40, 30 or 10 people and enjoy international safety standards.
The river taxi operates from morning until evening with two stations back and forth from the Al-Kadhimiya area to Al-Mutanabbi and vice versa, which is the busiest route during official working hours for employees and university students.
Additionally, the project is also a beautiful way to boost tourism because tourists will get to know the old neighborhoods of Baghdad.
According to the latest official statistics of the General Traffic Directorate, there are eight million cars in Baghdad alone, which exceeds the capacity of the capital’s streets.
The river taxi is not only a way to avoid traffic jams but also a source to attract tourists at affordable prices.