site.btaBus Operators to Raise Price of Urban and Intercity Services

Bus operators will be raising fares gradually as of next week, both for city and intercity services, the Bulgarian National Radio reports. They say that it called for by the COVID crisis which has brought down passenger numbers, and the higher fuel prices.

The Confederation of Bus Carriers have discussed the matter with Transport Minister Nikolay Sabev and have his approval, said Confederation Chair Magdalena Miltenova.

She said the fare increase is expected to be around 50 per cent but only where possible.

Even that won’t solve carriers’ problems and they will continue to experience difficulties because of the high prices of fuel, especially methane. The sector expects support from the government to ensure bus services in all population centres and make sure people can afford the increase.

Miltenova mentions the southern town of Boagoevgrad as an example: the single-ride public bus fare has been 0.80 leva for many years and will be raised to 1.20 leva “but that is far from enough considering the costs we have”.