Water trams (ferries) as a new way to make use of Tri-City agglomeration waterways

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to identify the roles currently played by the so-called water tram (ferry) system in the Gdansk Metropolitan Area, which includes the so-called Tri-City (Gdansk, Sopot, Gdynia) as well as towns located on the Hel Peninsula. It is also important to assess changes in passenger volume on selected routes and analyze the reasons why individuals use the water tram system. Most of the research consisted of a review of source materials obtained from the Municipal Transportation Company of Gdansk and Gdynia for the period 2006-2009. The establishment of water tram routes in the Bay of Gdansk increased the tourist attractiveness of the Tri-City agglomeration and the associated towns of Hel and Jastarnia. This is evidenced by the increase in passenger volume from year to year. Currently, water trams are not merely a means of transportation but also constitute a significant tourist attraction. Furthermore, contemporary water trams play an ecological and educational role.