Sofia Mayor: 20% Less Cars in City Center due to Parking Fees

The center of Sofia has seen a 20% decrease in the amount of parked cars since the new parking rules were introduced, said the city Mayor Yordanka Fandakova.

The system of "blue" and "green" zones for parking in the center of Sofia was introduced at the end of 2012, sparking public protests. Under the new ordinance, people living in central areas of the city were obliged to pay an annual fee of BGN 150 and BGN 100 respectively for their automobiles, where there were no personal parking areas.

Another rule stipulates that a car can remain parked in the blue zone for no longer than 2 hours. The rules were applied for Saturdays (8 am – 2 pm) as well.

"These efforts were geared at improving the city's atmosphere, reducing pollution. These are European-wide policies, which we will continue to develop", Fandakova said.

On the accusations that the proceeds from parking fees are going to the Center for City Mobility, the Sofia mayor answered that due to the financial problems facing the public transportation, these funds have enabled ticket prices to remain unchanged over the past 5 years.