All students in Plovdiv until they complete their secondary education should travel free of charge in public transport - the proposal is from the Mayor of Plovdiv Kostadin Dimitrov, and the idea is to expand the current right to free travel, novini.bg listed.
Currently, children up to the age of 14 travel free of charge with a card in Plovdiv's public transport. With the new proposal by Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov, the scope will be expanded and will include students from 14 years of age until they complete their secondary education.
The proposal will be submitted for a vote in the Municipal Council through changes to the Regulation on the rules and conditions for travel by public public transport on the territory of Plovdiv Municipality.
„Plovdiv is a city of young people and education. It is important for us that every child and every student has equal and easy access to school, regardless of which neighborhood they live in. Free transport is an investment in education and in the future of the city,“ said Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov.
The mayor's proposal is part of the municipality's efforts to improve public transport in the city, which has been private for almost 20 years.
The Municipality of Plovdiv is currently conducting a procedure for awarding an integrated public service for passenger transport on 29 city bus lines. These are lines No. 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 36, 37, 44, 66, 93, 99, 113, 116 and 222.
The terms of the public procurement stipulate significantly higher requirements for carriers, as well as higher sanctions for non-compliance. Specifically, it is about adhering to schedules, cleanliness, accessibility, namely:
- mandatory adherence to schedules;
- daily cleaning of buses;
- accessibility for passengers;
- minimum three information signs;
- uniforms and a high culture of service by drivers;
- video surveillance for passenger safety;
- mandatory working air conditioning systems for heating in winter and cooling in summer.
Environmental requirements have also been increased – at least 60% of the buses must be of the Euro VI environmental category, and at least 40% must meet the criteria for clean vehicles.
„We are fully aware that whatever infrastructure we build, whatever events we organize, if there is no good transport, it will be difficult for Plovdiv residents. For this, we are working simultaneously in several directions - better service, higher requirements for carriers and more social benefits for Plovdiv residents. Free transport for students is part of this policy“, Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov also emphasized.
If the proposal is supported by the Municipal Council, Plovdiv will become one of the large Bulgarian cities in which students will be able to use public transport for free until they complete their secondary education.