Commuters in a Romanian City Can Pay for Bus Tickets by Performing 20 Squats
Cluj-Napoca, a major city in northwestern Romania, introduced an unusual way for residents to earn a free bus ride during a series of health-focused campaigns. A smart booth placed at a local bus stop recorded travelers who completed 20 squats in two minutes and awarded them a single-ride ticket on the city’s transit network.
The concept began in 2020 as part of the European Week of Sport. Sports Festival, a local organization known for large public fitness events, developed the squat-counting booth with support from the city hall and local council.
A built-in camera tracked each repetition and printed a ticket once the target was reached. At the time, a standard ticket cost RON 2.5, equivalent to approximately 0.5 euros.
How the Program Took Shape
The original plan was to run the booth for two weeks. Throughout that early period, people steadily stopped at the station, and the organizers extended the campaign through the end of the year, with the cost of the issued tickets covered by private partners.
More than 14,000 free tickets were generated in the first two weeks alone, far surpassing internal estimates. The booth operated daily on Memorandumului Street, a busy corridor leading toward the Mărăști neighborhood.
Surveillance equipment, sanitation services, and a smart ticketing system were integrated into the structure to ensure its continued functionality throughout the campaign period.
Return of the “Health Ticket”
In 2021, the same team brought the booth back for another multi-month run. Residents could again complete the exercise challenge at the Memo Sud station between fixed operating hours and receive a printed transit ticket valid for one urban trip.
A later edition in 2022 introduced a variation. Instead of squats, participants used a stationary bike and rode a set distance within a limited time.
Organizers explained that they wanted to include a movement option that worked for a broader range of ages and physical conditions. The new booth remained in place through early 2023.
A Clear Structure Behind the Initiative
Image via Wikimedia Commons/A.Catalina
Across these campaign cycles, the approach focused on pairing a short, measurable activity with a direct reward. The technology handled the counting, the sponsoring partners covered the ticket cost, and the transit system continued to operate normally for all passengers who chose traditional payment.
The concept remained limited to Cluj-Napoca, concentrated at specific bus stops during the periods when the booths were active. Organizers described it as a temporary health promotion built around a familiar commute. The booth became a recognizable feature during the seasons it operated.