The same price increase in the blue and green zones, which is now coming into force, was discussed back in 2016. This was stated by the Mayor of Sofia Vasil Terziev in the program “Nedelya 150“ on the Bulgarian National Radio. He emphasized that the update was long delayed and reflects the real inflation for the last decade.
The mayor indicated that the municipality is directing its efforts towards long-term infrastructure projects, as well as maintenance, which, according to him, was neglected in previous mandates. Among the priorities are kindergartens, schools, the metro, underpasses, parks and inter-block spaces.
Terziev stressed that the parking reform does not aim to increase revenues for the central budget, but introduces a new model in which part of the funds from the zones will be returned directly to the districts. They will be spent on sidewalks, street lighting, small infrastructure and new parking spaces, with the allocation being approved each year by the Sofia Municipal Council, the mayor explained. Terziev stated that the urban environment and green spaces remain a priority over the expansion of parking lots.
He pointed out that parking is currently being regulated, as the construction of thousands of new parking spaces would be extremely expensive and would require the development of green areas. According to him, the shortage of about 100,000 places requires financially and spatially impossible solutions, which is why regulation is the first effective step.
The mayor also commented on the crisis that arose with the cleaning of some areas of the city after the expiration of garbage collection contracts. According to him, the municipality had a previously developed crisis plan that allowed the situation to be controlled, despite the scale of the task, comparable to cleaning a city like Plovdiv or Varna, he said.
Terziev noted that initially there were shortcomings in the organization, but within weeks the situation was stabilized with the participation of volunteers and civil organizations. He thanked the non-governmental structures, including “Forest BG“, which contributed to the temporary cleaning.
Terziev said that the public procurement for the first and seventh zones have been finalized, and the municipality is prepared for direct award, which will guarantee continuous garbage collection and winter cleaning in case of possible precipitation.
Terziev said that the dialogue with the Sofia Municipal Council is constructive, but a majority for key policies is not always easy to achieve. He emphasized that the parking reform has received the necessary support and congratulated the councilors who voted for it.
The mayor announced that public procurement for new buses and trolleybuses is imminent, with the goal of delivering them by the end of the mandate. When asked about his political plans, Terziev said that his priority is to be a “good mayor” and to fulfill its program in the remaining two years.
BTA recalls that at the last meeting of the SOS, it was adopted to increase parking prices in Sofia and expand the scope of paid parking zones from January 5, 2026. Prices for hourly parking in the blue zone will be 2 euros per hour, in the green zone - 1 euro per hour. The vignette sticker for residents in the blue zone will cost 150 euros, in the green zone 100 euros. The prices for a second car are increased to 300 euros for the blue zone and 200 euros for the green zone.