Varna reduces frequency of regular public transport services due to high prices of fuel and electricity

From February 1, the frequency of the services of the public transport buses in Bulgaria’s coastal city of Varna will be reduced due to the high fuel prices, which create financial difficulties.

"Our problems are the same as everywhere else in the country. Fuel prices have risen in the past quarter. We have paid 1,200,000 more than the previous year," explained Zlati Zlatev, an engineer working in the public transport in Varna.

There are 30 trolleybuses in Varna, serving 4 lines, and the electricity bills have jumped more than 3 times. Employees of the municipal company in Varna will not receive food vouchers this month, like many other employees in Bulgarian companies.

"With a salary of BGN 1,000-1,200, the vouchers of BGN 80 are a considerable percentage. We are looking forward to these food vouchers, but we have not received them this month and we do not know if we will receive them," Penko Penkov said.

The municipal company is strongly bound by public procurement contracts and prices are fixed. All types of expenses are limited as much as possible, but the company needs finances to maintain the quality of public transport, as well as road safety, said Julian Georgiev, from the company.