A record investment of over BGN 1 billion and a significant improvement of traveling by public transport in Sofia, the governing authorities of the Sofia municipality foresee. The purchase of 500 new vehicles is planned, of which 150 new trams and 280 buses. All of them will have a low floor, air conditioning, a comfortable salon and the highest ecological standard, Mayor Vasil Terziev announced.
„Our goal is for Sofia's public transport to become the most convenient way to get around and a real alternative. That is why we are making this huge investment, planning to purchase over 500 new vehicles in the coming years. With this program, we take a decisive step forward and propose a complete renovation of the trams, buses and trolleybuses.“ – declared the mayor Vasil Terziev.
The program envisages the purchase of 110 brand new trams and the modernization of another 40, as well as 75 new trolleybuses and 280 buses. With this, the managers promise to replace all vehicles in Sofia with modern, comfortable and economical ones, so that, on the one hand, the citizens will feel a tangible improvement, and on the other hand, the maintenance costs of the current outdated rolling stock will be reduced. “Today, a significant number of trams are over 30 years old, which makes them inconvenient and inaccessible to passengers and expensive and inefficient to maintain. Therefore, trams are the main focus in the coming years.“ – Andrey Zografski, municipal councilor from Spasi Sofia, is categorical.
„We are starting with a bang, as in 2024 we plan to announce orders for over 120 new vehicles - 18 trams, 35 trolleybuses and 70 buses. The new trams will be for lines 20 and 22, so as to provide modern vehicles with a low floor and air conditioning for the residents of the eastern districts such as Podujane, Slatina and Druzhba. On the other hand, the buses will allow us to return urban transport entirely to municipal hands, which will terminate the current disadvantageous concession contract and reduce costs for the municipality.“ – explained Andrei Zografski.
The record investment foresees not only the renewal of the current vehicles, but also their increase in view of the planned extensions of the tram and trolleybus network. “The high-speed tram along Todor Kableshkov Blvd. to Darvenitsa remains a top priority, and the new trolleybuses will be of a new generation – they will be charged from the contact network while driving. The machines will be equipped with the possibility of autonomous travel up to 15 km, which will allow lines such as 310 or 604 to be served by these hybrid trolleybuses.“ – added Mr. Zografski, vice-chairman of the Committee on Transport.
For the financing of the program, the Metropolitan Municipality will rely on several sources – own financing from the city budget, European programs, loan financing from the big investment banks, as well as other financial instruments of the EU. “The investment is huge with a horizon until 2030. We have started talks with the state and the governing bodies of the EU programs, because it is important to start the procedures this year. I am sure that we will receive support from the various institutions, just as we received support from the other municipal councilors from various parties in SOS. We are working hard so that citizens can get quality, modern and convenient public transport.“ – the deputy mayor for finance, Ivan Vasilev, assured the people of Sofia.
„The comfort of the people of Sofia is our priority and with this huge investment, Sofia moves forward with a new speed. We are continuing the construction of the metro at a rapid pace, but we are also starting to modernize and develop the surface urban transport, which has been neglected and underfunded over the years. Public transport is the lifeblood of Sofia and I am sure that after the package of reforms we are working on, there will be a significant improvement and it will become an increasingly preferred way of moving in our city.“ - concluded the mayor Vasil Terziev.