site.btaGreenpeace: Bulgaria Invested Some EUR 9.6 Bln in Motorways, Only EUR 2.4 Bln in Railways in 1995-2021

Bulgaria has invested some EUR 9.6 billion in motorways and only EUR 2.4 billion in railways from 1995 to 2021, shows a Greenpeace study circulated to the media by the Bulgarian branch of the NGO on Tuesday. Bulgaria's highways have increased by a significant 157% (from 314 to 806 km) since 1995. At the same time, the length of the railway network has decreased by 6% (263 km).

The Greenpeace study concluded that rail transport has been neglected in Europe for three decades and people are "effectively forced to own cars in order to travel".

The organisation's report shows that since 1995, the European Union Member States, Norway, Switzerland and the UK have invested on average 66% more in expanding and renovating roads than railways.

Greenpeace pointed out that the length of Europe's motorways has increased by more than 300,000 km (60%) since 1995. "Demand for motor vehicles has increased by 29% by 2019 - and they are responsible for 72% of climate-damaging transport emissions (only 0.4% come from trains). Since 1995, the entire European train network has decreased by 6.5% - or 15,650 km," the environmental organization pointed out.