The Sofia Municipality is introducing a "green ticket" for travel on public transport from today until Monday - December 20, 21 and 22, 2025, the municipal administration announced. On the same days, parking in the metro buffer parking lots will be free for all residents and guests of the capital.
The measure is being introduced for the first time this season in connection with the forecast of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology for the formation of fog and conditions for the retention of fine dust particles in the lower atmospheric layers over the weekend.
For the second consecutive year, measures are being taken preventively, based on forecast data, not reactively. Although according to the NIMH, the period of calm is expected to end on Monday, the validity of the "green ticket" is being extended for the first working day of the week for greater efficiency.
"We are giving people the opportunity to get informed in time and plan their trips. I call on citizens to leave their cars and use public transport in order to reduce emissions and improve air quality in Sofia", said Deputy Mayor for Ecology Nadezhda Bobcheva.
"The "Green Ticket" costs 1 leva, is valid for the entire day and can be purchased by validating a bank card in the vehicle, by drivers, online through the web portal of the Center for Urban Mobility, as well as from the cash desks of the Central Bus Station and "Metropolitan". It will also apply to night-time public transport.
The Municipality specifies that the introduction of this ticket is part of a set of measures to improve the quality of ambient air during the winter season. Among them are the low-emission zones for cars, which will be in effect from December 1 with an expanded scope, as well as the upcoming ban on solid fuel heating in nine metropolitan areas from January 1, 2026.
On days with a forecast of high levels of fine dust particles, additional extraordinary measures are also applied – increased street washing and sweeping, recommendations to schools and kindergartens to limit outdoor time and increased control by the Sofia Inspectorate.
From the beginning of December to December 18, a total of 470 inspections were carried out on various sources of pollution, and 81 acts of administrative violations were drawn up, the municipality added.
The Sofia Municipality appeals to citizens to limit the use of private cars, not to burn waste and, in case of suspected violations, to report them by calling 112 or to the Sofia Inspectorate. Information on air quality and the measures taken is published on its website.
An increase in fine dust particles in several cities in the country on Thursday, December 18, was reported by the Executive Agency for the Environment. According to data from the daily bulletin published on the Agency's website, the most serious exceedance was registered in Sofia – from 2.05 to 3.48 times the norm of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). In Plovdiv the values vary from between 2.18 and 2.82 times, in Pernik – 2.8 times, in Sliven – 2.18 times.