The City of Venice, Italy, has just opened a new waterbus for its canals that is reserved for use by local citizens only -- part of an effort to make the tourist-heavy city more friendly to its own people.
"The new line - reserved for holders of the Carta Venezia pass - was introduced to lessen the impact of the estimated 20 million people who visit Venice each year on the city's beleaguered residents, numbering about 60,000 in the historic center at the end of last year."
"'It's an extra service for residents who are forced bear the brunt of mass tourism,' said Mayor Massimo Cacciari."
"'It's evident that tourism is growing,' the mayor said during an interview on the line's maiden voyage. 'If people want to come to Venice they can come, but we have to allow residents to live better.'"
"Marcello Panettoni, director general of the Venice transport authority, said the new line was a response to citizens' complaints that the hordes of tourists cramming onto waterbuses, with luggage in tow, had been leaving residents on dry land."
FULL STORY: Venetian transport leaves tourists high and dry
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