Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev made a comment after the Consumer Protection Commission initiated proceedings due to the double increase in parking prices in Sofia, BNT reported.
According to the mayor, the prices they have proposed are justified.
Despite the great dissatisfaction of citizens and the inspection by the Consumer Protection Commission, today the mayor of Sofia said that he supports the new prices and the expansion of the blue and green zones in Sofia.
"This is a step in the right direction. I have said many times that there is no policy, no reform that would change habits and that would require higher pay, some fee or service and that anyone would be satisfied", said Vasil Terziev.
On Friday, the CPC took action and announced that it would check whether the double increase in parking prices in the zones was economically justified. The regulator specified that the changes fall under the Euro Introduction Act and that sanctions will follow in case of violations.
"The CPC can read the report, it is quite detailed. There is an argument why it is necessary, why now, if it had happened in a few months, everyone would blame the euro. The euro is not to blame. Prices have not been touched for over 10 years. Relative to the incomes of Sofia residents, since the last time a blue and green zone was introduced, parking is cheaper per hour, the mayor continued. He explained that the funds from the increase and reform of the zones will go directly to the neighborhoods where the zones are located. "The number of cars must be reduced, the quality of public transport improved, parking lots built and neighborhoods regulated - the organization of traffic and parking on the streets, there is already a direct mechanism for how, by taking money from residents of a given area, they return it to the respective neighborhood. These plans, which will be public, will be approved by the Municipal Council," Terziev added. When asked in which European cities an annual parking fee is charged in residential areas, Terziev gave examples. "In all European cities. Vienna, Valencia, Oslo. Choose whichever you want.
When asked by BNT that the standard of living there is much higher, the mayor replied.
"The standard of living in Sofia, measured as gross domestic product per capita, is above the average European level. Therefore, this argument is not one of the strongest."
Against this backdrop, several protests have already been announced this week by people living in the areas that will fall into the expanded green zone next year. Complaints have also been filed with the Ombudsman.