The history of public transport in the city
The first forms of organization of the public transport appeared in the second half of 19th century , as a consequence of population growth and city expansion.
The development of public transport was stimulated as well by the fact that Cluj train station became part of the national railway network in 1870.The initial tendency of public transport was to link the residential districts with Cluj train station.
The first forms of public transport in the city were on rail way with hypo traction but quickly afterwards in 1890 , the traction was provided by steam locomotives.
Although the development of the city continues , the projects targeting the introduction of electrical traction on the tram-ways couldn't be implemented until the end of the first world war,because of the lack of capital and energy sources.
After the first world war , the city is characterised by a revival of economic and social activity and an increase in the number of inhabitants ( which by 1920 reached as many as 83 000 inhabitants ) . under these conditions the problem of public transport becomes a priority.
In 1922 , two '' Saurer '' lorries being spoil of war , were bought from the army , and were recarosated and reconditioned in buses , one of them with no roof at the upper level ( just covered in case of rain with a mat ) . They provided passenger transport to the town from the barries from Someseni ( now Marasti square ) , through Dorobanti street , to the town center and finally to the train station.
After 1924 two companies ''Blaga-magarit'' and ''Rotatia'' were founded.the latter developed gradually and it reached in 1926 , 32 members on different routes in the city to ensure the movement of over 50 buses.
Between 1929-1930 the Merchandise and passengers' automobile union was founded in Cluj and in 1931 '' Professional lorrydrivers' company '' was established.
Most of the owners grouped together in '' rapid owners' association '' ; which later obtained from the townhall the exclusive right to organize the public transport in Cluj , the routes still linking the train station with the suburbs.
Before the second world war nine bus were organized ; out of which three were seasonal.
In the first years after the second world war the public transport had major difficulties because of the lack of gasoline and the low number of buses.under these conditions Most of the buses from the ''Rapid company'' used methane gas.
The endowing with buses from internal production and the introduction in 1959 of public electrical transport from domestic production , signified an important stage in the development of public transport from Cluj.
On the 1th of january 1961 the town transport company of Cluj was founded , which later became the Urban Transport company of Cluj.
On the 1th of january 1980 the County local transport company was founded , which organized the public transport activity in all municipalities in the county.
A significant increase in the number of city population as a result of the industrialization process after 1970 leads to the introduction of tram transport in 1987.
After 1990 , in the general trend of descentralization which took place , the company has been divided into autonomous units of local transport in each and every municipality in the county.
In Cluj-napoca municipality Ratuc was founded , which has remained until today the largest public transport operator in the city.