Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Alexandar Tsvetkov and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Communications Ivan Valkov presented today new proposals relating to the Road Transport Act.

Minister Alexandar Tsvetkov said that there is no danger smaller built-up areas to remain without direct transport service to larger cities. This transport system will make transportation safer, more profitable and will provide real competition between carriers, which will benefit passengers, said Minister Tsvetkov.

President of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Communications Ivan Valkov announced major changes that are intended to be made between the first and second reading of the Road Transport Act.

Proposals that will not be included:

    * The Republican transport scheme to include bus lines with end and way stations only in cities with populations over 30,000 people.
    * Transportation for the lines to the established Republican transport scheme to be awarded with a competition by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications.

Proposals that will be made between the first and second reading of the Road Transport Act:

    * With regulation under Art. 18 of the current law will be defined the intervals between stations on lines in the same direction. In the additional provisions will be given a definition of direction.

Through this proposal will be imposed a legal obligation to determine the intervals between stations on lines in the same direction of the Republican transport scheme. All contracts remain valid until their expiration in accordance with Regulation (EC) № 1370/2007.

The determination of the intervals will eliminate duplication of services, will improve service on the lines and will enhance and ensure safety in the operation of services. The commissioning of the lines will continue to be carried out by municipalities.

    * Transportation on bus routes will be awarded following a procedure under the Law on Concessions and Public Procurement Act and in accordance with Regulation (EC) № 1370/2007 of the European Parliament.

This act ensures the application of EU Regulations for unification of criteria for conducting the procurement procedure, which are clearly and explicitly spelled out in the Concessions Act and the Public Procurement Act. It will thus be ensured equal treatment of all carriers.