Ministry of Transport

Acting Minister of Transport, Georgi Gvozdeikov, has taken the unprecedented step of canceling the tender for the supply of 35 single-deck motor trains, valued at a staggering BGN 1.1 billion, under the ambit of the Recovery Plan. This pivotal decision was officially announced by the Ministry of Transport, marking a significant departure from the initial procurement process.

A new ordinance aimed at improving road safety by enhancing traffic light regulations has been drafted and released for public discussion by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Transport, as well as Regional Development and Public Works.

Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Christos Stylianidis is close to securing subsidies and credits of the order of 1.5 billion euros to finance new coastal passenger ferries, which will drastically reduce the sector's carbon dioxide emissions.

Effective March 1, Bulgaria has officially halted the use and importation of Russian oil for fuel production, following a decision by the Parliament to drop the derogation.

Owners of uninsured vehicles will have any fines of 500 euros imposed through the tax office, accompanied by administrative sanctions, such as the withholding of their license and plates.

The extensive restoration required to reopen the railway line in central Greece that was destroyed after a deadly storm last year will likely rise to 280-300 million euros from an initially estimated 200 million, sources from state-owned Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE), which is responsible for managing and maintaining the rail infrastructure, said.

After a disastrous year for railways, with the deadly Tempe collision and Storm Daniel floods, the Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with European institutions, is looking into the creation of a new public body, with the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) as its core.

Vehicles for the control of the Executive Agency "Automotive Administration" are now equipped with POS terminal devices. They are connected to the Agency's electronic control system, in which the criminal decrees were also generated, reported the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Taxi drivers participated in a work stoppage in Athens from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, which was followed by a protest rally at the Ministry of Transport to demonstrate against a new tax bill designed to crack down on tax evasion of self-employed professionals. Τhey have also announced a 24-hour strike for November 22.

Trains of Bulgarian Railways (BDZ) will be equipped with a security system of the latest generation, reports the Ministry of Transport. On-board devices for the safe operation of 89 trains are to be purchased, of which 64 are for BDZ. According to Minister Georgi Gvozdeikov, the implementation of the ERTMS system is "an important step to ensure greater safety of rail transport".