Cluj-Napoca's Unique Commute: Earn Bus Tickets With Squats!

In a novel initiative, the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca offered commuters a chance to ride its buses for free by performing a simple fitness challenge. Travelers who completed 20 squats within a two-minute timeframe at a specially designed booth were awarded a single-ride transit ticket. This program, launched in 2020, was part of broader health and sport awareness campaigns.

The innovative concept, developed by the local organization Sports Festival with city support, utilized a smart booth with a built-in camera to count repetitions. The initial two-week run far exceeded expectations, issuing over 14,000 tickets and prompting an extension. Private partners funded the cost of these generated tickets.

Subsequent iterations of the 'Health Ticket' program in 2021 and 2022 adapted the challenge, including a stationary bike option, to accommodate a wider range of participants. Although limited to specific locations and active periods, the initiative successfully integrated temporary health promotion with the daily commute, making the squat-counting booth a recognizable feature.