River passenger traffic held a significant place for Novi Bečej. In addition to the ferry and horse-drawn carriage transport to Stari Bečej, there was a smaller boat that made about ten round trips daily between Novi and Stari Bečej. This boat operated for many years, continuing even after World War II until the construction of the dam on the Tisa River and the bridge for road traffic in 1977. It connected the two neighboring towns of Novi and Stari Bečej and served as an important link between Srednji Banat and Srednja Bačka between the wars.
Due to its role, we, the residents of Novi Bečej, perhaps unconsciously, bestowed upon it a part of our affection, arguably more so than we felt towards the railway, despite its more significant role in passenger traffic.
This emotional connection compels me, someone raised in Novi Bečej, to reflect a bit more on our passenger boats and ferries. I say 'our' because we all felt and loved them that way. It was particularly delightful to welcome the 'big ship' that sailed daily between Belgrade and Senta. We admired it until it disappeared from our sight in the darkness of calm Tisa nights upon departing from the Novi Bečej dock.
After World War I, and likely before and during it, passenger transport between the two Bečejs was conducted by a boat named 'Stari Bečej,' owned by Molnar and Ač from Stari Bečej. It was a smaller boat capable of carrying about a hundred passengers. This boat successfully fulfilled its noble function for many years.
It wasn't particularly beautiful or luxurious, but we were satisfied with it because of its role. We joyfully anticipated its arrival, from when it appeared beyond the ruins of the old town, to its modest dock. We were thrilled when in the morning, full of passengers, especially high school students from Stari Bečej coming to the private gymnasium in Novi Bečej aboard the morning boat. With a slight apprehension in our hearts, we marveled as it, before docking, extended about a hundred meters further from the dock, executing an almost perfectly circular turn in the opposite direction of the Tisa's flow, before finally docking at its small pier, which represented its dock.
The maneuver of turning the boat around so skillfully with its stern in a circle was so impressive that everyone would applaud in awe, though each observer also held a fear that the boat might capsize due to inertia or an increased number of passengers leaning to one side. However, this fear was unfounded. The helmsmen knew how to adjust the appropriate speed and the size of the turn (the gentleness of the circle) for the safest execution.
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