STORY: River taxi service relaunched in Baghdad to relieve traffic jams
DATELINE: July 21, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:03
LOCATION: Baghdad
CATEGORY: SOCIETY
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of river taxi service
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MUHANNAD RAYHAN, Captain
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): NOOR FARIS, Passenger
 
STORYLINE:
 
The Iraqi government has relaunched the river taxi project as one of its solutions to relieve traffic jams in the capital city of Baghdad.
 
In Baghdad, a city of more than 9 million people, traffic congestion is severe, particularly on each of its 13 bridges to cross the Tigris River that bisects the capital.
 
Iraqi Minister of Transportation Razzaq Muhaibis said that the government is keen to relaunch the service after seven years of suspension.
 
"The current Iraqi government has developed several solutions to overcome traffic jams that lead to delays for employees, students, and all citizens from reaching their workplaces on time, and one of these solutions is the river taxi," Muhaibis said.
 
The service was welcomed by many local people.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MUHANNAD RAYHAN, Captain
"The aim of the river taxi is to help reduce traffic congestion within the city of Baghdad. The Ministry of Transportation decided to launch the river taxi in the two stations of al-Kadhimiya, in northern Baghdad, and (near) al-Mutanabi Street in the central city. The Ministry (of Transportation) intends to open more stations."
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): NOOR FARIS, Passenger
"The river taxi is important and nice. We can enjoy a tour of the Tigris River. The service also aims to ease traffic jams (in Baghdad)."
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Baghdad.
(XHTV)