The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works is providing over 60 million euros to modernize public transport in 30 Bulgarian municipalities through the purchase of 99 new electric buses and the construction of 82 charging stations. The investment is being implemented through the Recovery and Resilience Plan under the "Green Mobility" procedure.
The project covers municipalities such as Kazanlak, Pavel Banya, Aytos, Karnobat, Asenovgrad, Sadovo, Pazardzhik, Peshtera, Gabrovo, Sevlievo, Vratsa, Montana, Velingrad, Rakitovo, Sliven, Yambol, Samokov, Ihtiman, Haskovo, Svilengrad, Harmanli, Dobrich, Petrich, Sandanski, Botevgrad, Shumen, Targovishte, Pernik, and Breznik, with Dobrichka municipality participating as a partner.
In addition to the new vehicles, over 26 km of cycling infrastructure and 270 lit pedestrian paths have been built. To improve mobility management, 6 intelligent digital solutions have been implemented. According to the Ministry, the updated urban environment is already being used by nearly 940,000 residents.
The electric buses for urban and intercity transport are replacing part of the conventional fleet, leading to cleaner air and less noise. The new vehicles offer a more comfortable journey, including for parents with strollers and people with disabilities, while simultaneously reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs.
The new cycling infrastructure provides an alternative mode of transport, while the lit paths improve the safety of vulnerable road users. In certain municipalities, specific routes have been completed that connect settlements and create opportunities for clean transport, the Ministry noted.
Investments in eco-friendly urban transport and infrastructure are also important for improving the quality of life in the Burgas region and its municipalities.
In parallel, over 560 non-residential buildings across the country have been renovated with funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The investment in the energy renovation of the public fund for administration, culture, sports, production, and trade amounts to nearly 346 million euros, with the total renovated area exceeding 1,770,000 sq. m.