The traghetto is a division of the urban territory of which the gondoliers belonging to that traghetto are responsible.

Therefore, if a citizen or a tourist needs a particular service, he is obliged to ask at the traghetto under whose territory the request falls; to make this concept clearer, the territory of the traghetto can be likened to a parish.

The word traghetto is also synonimous to the place where you cross the Grand Canal. (this can be likened to a public ferry service).

Of the 425 licenced gondoliers, at least half of them are involved in providing this service, implementing the use of a roster system, often used also for the transport of people.

The traghetti where this service is available are: San Marcuola, Santa Sofia, Riva del Cabon, San Tomà, San Barnaba, and Santa Maria del Giglio.

In fact, the traghetto is one of the most common transport services used by the Venetians, most likely not only because it saves time and shortens distances but because it avoids the overcrowded waterbuses.

Aboveall, it is more economic, environmentally friendly, and convenient than the motorised transport, and it costs only 50 cents thanks to a subsidy from the city council.