site.btaRegional Development Minister Says Bus Carriers' Protests against Planned Introduction of Toll System Is Ill-Timed

Regional Development Minister Says Bus Carriers' Protests against Planned Introduction of Toll System Is Ill-Timed

Sofia, April 11 (BTA) - Regional Development and Public Works Minister Liliyana Pavlova Monday made it clear that the threats for a protest by bus carriers over the planned introduction of a toll system in Bulgaria were poorly timed. In a comment for the press, she said that the building of the toll system was part of a decision that was made last year and nobody should be surprised now that a contracting procedure starts. Also, it is not yet clear what the toll will be and any speculations about this are aimed to justify a possible increase of bus fares, she said.

Pavlova said that bus operators will indeed be paying more once the toll system becomes operational but it is the government's aim to secure resources for better roads.

Bulgaria does not charge a road tax for vehicles after it was revoked in the 1990s, nor does it have a surcharge in the fuel price as is the practice in other European countries, which thus provide resoiurces for road maintenance, the Minister said.

She added that the road toll will be strictly for the distance covered by the vheicle.

It transpired from the Minister's remarks that this week the leadership of the Road Infrastructure Agency will be meeting with road transport companies, including bus operators, to discuss the matter.

Pavlova explained that a contractor will be selected by the end of this summer to build the toll system, provided that the contracting procedure is not challenged in court.

The contracting authority will be aiming at the lowest price for the best technical solution, she added.

Analyses show that the first stage of a toll system can be set in place a year from now, after which it will be upgraded.

The candidates will be encouraged to propose a shorter time frame.

Pavlova also explained that no taxpayers' money will be paid for building the system.

The way it will work is that the contractor will have to design and build at its own expense the system with the software and hardware, and mount the cameras, the sensors and the readers. The system will be put in operation and the first payment to the contractor will be due on the third month. It is expected to take three years to pay up to the contrcator, using only a fraction of the toll receipts.