Modernization of Urban Transport in 7 Municipalities: A New Era

An ambitious plan to modernize public transport in seven Bulgarian municipalities is beginning to be implemented, promising a new era of sustainable mobility. The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works announced the signing of contracts for the realization of strategic projects that will transform transport in Pleven, Veliko Tarnovo, Varna, Blagoevgrad, Plovdiv, Vidin and Ruse.

Over 182 million leva will be invested from the "Regions in Development" 2021-2027 program in the pursuit of cleaner, safer and more accessible public transport. It is expected that this financial injection will improve connectivity, reduce air pollution and improve road safety, while providing higher quality transport services for over one million residents of these municipalities. Specialists predict that the result will be a reduction in harmful emissions from urban transport by up to 30 percent.

Project activities are complex and cover various measures to achieve this goal. They include the renewal of ecological urban and intercity public transport, including the introduction of electric buses and the construction of charging stations. In parallel, intelligent transport systems will be developed, which include traffic monitoring and management, as well as measures to improve road infrastructure – repairs and reconstruction of road sections, construction of new streets and road connections.

In Pleven, Plovdiv, Ruse, Varna and Vidin, the old fleet will be replaced with new electric buses and accompanying charging infrastructure will be built. The expectations are that this will lead to a noticeable improvement in the quality of life, by reducing harmful emissions and providing a quieter and more comfortable environment, especially for vulnerable groups of the population.

Not only ecology, but also traffic safety is the focus of these projects. The modernization of intelligent transport systems, including video surveillance and reconstruction of key road arteries, will help reduce congestion and improve traffic organization. In addition, hundreds of bus stops will be renovated in Pleven and Ruse, providing more convenient conditions for passengers. Blagoevgrad will acquire a new pedestrian connection between the center and the "Varosha" quarter, while Veliko Tarnovo will solve the parking problem in the central part of the city by building three new multi-story car parks.

Varna will witness the restoration of the panoramic road Varna – Golden Sands, which will solve a long-standing problem and improve access to tourist areas, stimulating the economic development of the northeastern part of the city. In Plovdiv, the existing traffic management systems will be upgraded, providing priority for public transport and increasing energy efficiency.

These projects are part of the strategic operations of the "Regions in Development" 2021-2027 program, aimed at integrated and sustainable development of urban areas. The responsible institutions emphasize that their implementation is a key step towards greener, more modern and accessible cities. The funds are seen as an investment in a better life, stronger connectivity and regional development, as well as in creating a safer and smarter urban environment, which will have modern public transport.

We remind you that at the end of August, the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Ivan Ivanov, called on the municipalities for maximum mobilization in working on the projects. The Minister emphasized that the program is of extreme importance for the development and modernization of the regions and that the projects will have a significant impact on the standard of living of the population.