A new crisis is possible in the capital's public transport, NOVA reported. Drivers are threatening to protest again if the problem with their salaries is not resolved. The local government indicates that the sector lacks 50 million euros.
After 6 days of blockade in Sofia: Buses, trams and trolleybuses are back on the road
The readiness of Marin and his colleagues to get out of the driver's cabs and stop working is obvious. “The mood of the colleagues is such that there is no need for organization like last time to stop it”, says Marin Lyubenov, driver, chairman of trolleybus depots at the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions.
The reason is a 50 million euro financial hole in the capital's transport budget. This is precisely why the municipality is appealing for funds from the state. “For the first quarter, we have calculated that we need 15 million euros from the state”, says Viktor Chaushev, deputy mayor in the “Transport and Urban Mobility” sector. He admits that at the moment the measure is “piecemeal”. “Because we have neither a state nor a municipal budget”, Chaushev adds.
If the money is not raised, however, the service that transport offers will have to be reduced – fewer lines, less frequent services, shortened schedules and the risk of new protests and strikes. Chaushev said that efforts are being made to avoid a new crisis in transport. “This year, in order to clear up the delay in payments and for public transport to be stable, the state must withdraw 153 million euros, we must withdraw 163 million. We have sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance, we have unofficial feedback that there is a readiness to provide funds”, Chaushev explained.
In a response to NOVA, the Ministry of Finance indicated that a decision of the Council of Ministers approved funding of 61,400 euros, of which nearly 22,000 euros for the payment of subsidies for the transport of passengers on unprofitable bus lines. As for the entire amount, the position states that it should be included in a regular state budget, which currently does not exist.
Last summer, workers demanded a 15% increase in their salaries. After nearly a week in which only the metro remained operational, the state allocated 15 million, and public transport drivers received a 300 leva increase.
According to the municipality, the average salary of a driver in the sector is about 2,000 euros. Advance payments to drivers must be paid by February 15. The unions are categorical that they will stand behind the drivers if they decide to strike.
„There is absolutely no dialogue. We don't even know the deputy mayor for transport, we haven't seen him”, said Eng. Alexander Shopov, chairman of the Federation of Transport Unions at the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions.
And in addition to the problem with salaries, there is also a shortage of 300 drivers on the agenda.