Varna, Bulgaria – The paid “blue zone” parking service in Varna is set to cease operations on December 16, following the expiration of a contractual agreement between the municipality and the private company managing the service.
The company announced the decision in a letter addressed to the Varna municipality on December 9, citing a lack of payments since the contract ended on November 29.
The termination of the service comes during a transitional period in Varna’s leadership. The contract’s expiration occurred just two weeks after Blagomir Kotsev from the “We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria” (WCC-DB) coalition assumed office as mayor. Kotsev succeeded Ivan Portnih from GERB, who had served as mayor for over a decade.
Contract Expiry Leaves Service Unfunded
Since the contract’s expiration, the parking management company has continued operations without compensation. This issue has been further complicated by delays in the public procurement process initiated on July 26 under the new administration.
The process was suspended in mid-August, leaving no clear resolution for renewing or replacing the service provider.
In its letter, the company indicated that it could no longer sustain operations without payment and confirmed it would halt services on December 16.
Municipal Silence Amid Leadership Absence
As of December 13, the Varna municipality has not issued an official response to the company’s notice. Mayor Blagomir Kotsev is currently on an overseas business trip to Argentina. On December 10, he signed a memorandum of cooperation with the mayor of Mar del Plata, a prominent port city.
This agreement highlights shared interests between the two cities, particularly Varna’s role in hosting the Bulgarian research vessel “St. St. Cyril and Methodius,” which often docks in Mar del Plata during its Antarctic expeditions.
Sources within the municipality suggest that officials may be awaiting Kotsev’s return to address the parking service issue.
Public Concerns Over Service Disruption
The suspension of the “blue zone” parking service is expected to create significant challenges for residents and visitors.
The system has been a critical tool for regulating traffic and ensuring parking availability in Varna’s central areas. Without it, congestion and parking disputes could increase during the busy holiday season.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and coordination from the municipality. “This is an essential service for our city, and the lack of clarity about its future is unacceptable,” said Dimitar Ivanov, a Varna resident and business owner.
Future Steps and Uncertainty
The municipality now faces mounting pressure to resolve the contractual and procurement issues. Stakeholders are calling for swift action to either extend the previous contract temporarily or expedite the stalled procurement process to select a new operator.
Mayor Kotsev’s return from Argentina is anticipated to bring clarity to the administration’s plans for the “blue zone” parking service. Until then, uncertainty looms, leaving residents and businesses to brace for potential disruption in parking management starting December 16.