Arbanija-Split ferry line launches after 60 years

(Photo credit: Morski.hr/reader/private album)

After 60 years of waiting, the residents of Arbanija on the Croatian island of Čiovo are now connected to the city of Split by a new ferry service, Morski.hr reports.

Operated by Bura Line, this connection promises to significantly reduce travel time for islanders, offering a swift 15-minute journey compared to the lengthy bus ride through Kaštela’s congested traffic.

The service, which faced delays due to a recent ferry fire, is now fully operational with two daily sailings.

This new connection will greatly ease the journey for islanders, who often spend nearly an hour navigating through the congested traffic of Kaštela, while the bus can take up to an hour and a half.

On Monday morning, they set sail on this route for the first time, confirmed Paula Vidović, Director of the Coastal Line Maritime Transport Agency, to Morski.hr:

“This line should have started earlier, but the ferry caught fire. Bura Line has the proper authorisation to operate this route,” she explained.

With the ferry, islanders can reach Split in just 15 minutes.

According to the schedule published by the Coastal Line Maritime Transport Agency, the ferry will operate twice daily.

It will depart from Arbanija to Split at 08:15 and 14:45, and return from Split to Čiovo at 13:00 and 20:00.

(Photo: Coastal Line Maritime Transport Agency)