Sofia Municipality Updated the Air Quality Management Programme

After three-hours of debates and almost complete majority, on 18^th of May, Sofia City Municipal Council adopted the updated Air Quality Management Programme by 2020. It includes measures to reduce fine particle levels and to limit the movement of cars that emit high levels of harmful emissions.

By launching the Early Warning System, expected to become operational by the end of the summer, Sofia Municipality envisages that the public transport will be free of charge during days of persistent pollution. To encourage the use of environmentally friendly vehicles, electric cars and hybrid cars, parking for such cars will be free of charge. Low emissions zones will be intoruced In some areas of the capital, in which cars will travel at a speed of 30 km / h.

The programme also plans to tighten the control over technical inspections of cars, because the cars, the construction and use of wood and coal for heating are the biggest pollutents in Sofia. The update of the Air Quality Management Programmje was undertaken following the high levels of fine particles identified in the air in Sofia during the winter and the country was reprimanded by the EU for the poor air quality.