site.btaBus Carriers Threaten Protest at Easter over Toll Tax

Bus Carriers Threaten Protest at Easter over Toll Tax

Sofia, April 8 (BTA) - Bus carriers are mulling a protest which may cause chaos around Easter, said on Friday Galya Topalova, chair of the National Association of Bus Carriers in Bulgaria and executive director of one of the largest carriers in the country. She took part in a national conference on the condition, issues and security for the bus transport.

The protest will be over a public procurement for toll taxes announced two days ago.

Topalova said that a toll of between 0.12 and 0.26 lv per kilometer on all roads excluding third class will destroy the industry. She said that an estimate 15 per cent of turnover will be spent on toll taxes.

She added that the government aims to raise 700 million leva in toll taxes from carriers alone to use for the construction of motorways while elsewhere toll revenues are spent on road maintenance.

The industry threatened that protests won't be symbolic after the lack of response on the part of the prime ministers, the transport minister and the institutions.