New Protest Against 60 % Rise in Public Transport Fare to be Held in Sofia

A new protest against the planned 60 % increase in the price of the tickets for public transport starting from June 1 is expected to take place in the Bulgarian capital on Tuesday.

Starting from Wednesday, the price of a single ticket will increase from BGN 1 to BGN 1.6. The fine for passengers travelling without ticket is set to rise from BGN 20 to BGN 40.

This is the latest in a series of protests to take place after the decision of the municipal council to increase the fare.

On Monday evening, hundreds of people gathered in the city centre to express their discontent. The protest began in front of the building of the municipality and proceeded to that of Sofia Urban Mobility Center, the municipal company operating public transport in the capital.

The protesters demanded the resignation of municipal councillors who had voted in favour of the increase. They also threatened to boycott the use of public transport or to travel without tickets.

At the same time, the municipality has said that it will impose the new fares with more bus conductors who will conduct inspections more frequently.

Earlier on Monday, two tram conductors were admitted to hospital after they were attacked by a passenger with pepper spray and fists. The passenger, who was travelling without ticket, launched the attack after the conductors had tried to fine him.