The Public Transport Law will be further developed with the contribution of municipalities, carriers and consumer organizations. The passenger remains at the center of the law. This is his philosophy and it will not change. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov after a meeting with bus carriers and representatives of consumer organizations within the framework of the public discussion of the draft Public Transport Law.
Representatives of consumer protection organizations expressed categorical support for the law, emphasizing that for the first time in many years, a comprehensive framework is being proposed that puts the passenger at the center and guarantees his rights, safety and comfort. They pointed out that the project solves problems that have accumulated over decades – from the lack of connections between transport services to the lack of clear standards for quality and protection of passengers' rights.
The bus operators stated that the philosophy of the law is correct and necessary, but requested that texts be added on some key issues, as well as others be spelled out more clearly. The sector made the following suggestions:
· joint awarding of transport services between municipalities be possible only when they have a common geographical border;
· the subsidy to compensate for the public transport obligation in bus transport can be provided in advance, as provided for rail, water and air transport;
· to provide additional clarity on the clearing mechanism in integrated transport;
· to clarify the relationship between the national and municipal transport schemes, as well as the mechanism for subsidizing them.
„The text of the Public Transport Act is still only a draft. It has been published in order to receive opinions and suggestions from all interested parties – from municipalities and carriers, to institutions and user associations. Therefore, today we are extending the public discussion by another 30 days, and if necessary – and more“, said the Deputy Prime Minister.
He announced that a working group is being created, in which experts from all interested organizations will participate. Their task will be to refine and supplement the texts of the law, as well as to begin preparing the by-laws guaranteeing its implementation.
„We will work until we have a good, fair and working law that satisfies all parties – carriers, municipalities, institutions, but above all – passengers“, emphasized Karadjov.
He noted that the law is based on European legislation and the experience of the most successful countries in the EU, and for the first time introduces:
· a unified national transport scheme for all modes of transport;
· a unified electronic ticket and mobile „wallet“;
· coordinated schedules between trains and buses;
· new standards for quality, safety, ecology and accessibility;
· on-demand transportation for remote settlements;
· a single intelligent system and a national data access point.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the state, municipalities and carriers together build the system, but it exists for the sake of the citizens: “The circulatory system of the state must pulsate as a whole and reach even the most remote corner of our homeland. Our task is to provide quality service where it is completely lacking today. The passenger is at the center of the law, and we all – institutions, municipalities and carriers – are instruments through which his rights and comfort will be guaranteed.“
During the meeting, it was recalled that:
∙ 738 settlements in Bulgaria are completely without transport service;
∙ 601 settlements have insufficient, formal (only on paper) or ineffective transport service;
∙ only 61 settlements have adequate public transport.
“This law radically changes the way the system will work. It ties the transport service to real measurements - kilometers, passenger flow, settlements. The goal is simple: to provide everyone with predictable, accessible and modern transport, as in developed European countries,“ said Karadzhov.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications will continue to hold meetings with industry organizations, the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria, expert units and civil society organizations.
“Only through dialogue and joint work can we finalize the law so that in the end we have a document that works for everyone – for carriers, for municipalities, for the state, but most of all for passengers”, emphasized Deputy Prime Minister Karadzhov.