site.btaBulgaria Fully Ready to Resume Ruse-Giurgiu Ferry Line, Transport Minister Says

Bulgaria is fully ready to resume the Ruse-Giurgiu ferry line. The project is of key importance for easing traffic between Bulgaria and Romania in view of the upcoming repair works on the Danube Bridge. This was stated by the caretaker Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Gvozdeikov during a meeting with caretaker Regional Development and Public Works Minister Violeta Koritarova and Romania's Ambassador in Sofia Brandusa Predescu, the ministry's press centre said on Monday.

Gvozdeikov elaborated on the need to open the ferry connection. "In this way we will help transport and the economy, we will help supplies to arrive in the fastest way," he said. According to him, the operator who will carry out the ferry services, and all institutions related to the project, are ready to start operation.

"We have carried out an analysis which showed that in May more than 200,000 cars crossed the Danube Bridge at Ruse. During the renovation, the ferry line will inevitably help ease traffic and shorten the crossing time between the two countries. Our research shows that it can take 20% of the heavy traffic, which will allow tourists to travel more comfortably," Koritarova said.

At a regular meeting of the Romanian government on June 18, a draft legal act was approved which provides for the restoration of ferry services to serve both banks of the Danube Bridge. "On Friday, the Romanian government took a very important step towards opening the ferry link between Ruse and Giurgiu, but it will take technical time to start the procedure," Predescu said.