(ANSA) - TRIESTE, SEP 1 - More than 20,000 passengers traveled from June 25 to August 31 on the ferry route connecting Trieste and the towns of Piran, Poreč, Rovinj, and Mali Lošinj, operated by Liberty Lines as part of the service promoted and funded by the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region. Passenger numbers on the high-speed monohull vessel Sofia M rose by 20.9% compared to the previous season, while the number of bicycles transported increased by over 25%. "Closing the season for the second consecutive year with a 100% technical service reliability rate is a significant achievement for a high-speed cross-border maritime link. We now look ahead to the next season with the aim of further consolidating the quality of the service," said Liberty Lines CEO Gennaro Carlo Cotella. According to the FVG Regional Councilor for Infrastructure, Cristina Amirante, the data and results from this season demonstrate that the service is "strategic in ensuring the region's ability to support alternative mobility options connecting to neighboring Slovenia and Croatia—benefiting both our residents and the many tourists visiting our region. At the same time, the service makes travel fast, easy, and sustainable for the many tourists visiting the Slovenian and Croatian coasts, fostering cross-border tourism to Trieste and beyond." The Region, Amirante concluded, "will continue to support initiatives that strengthen connections within the Adriatic area and enhance the territory's appeal." (ANSA).