SOFIA — A significant protest will take place on May 14 in Sofia, as workers from the city’s public transport sector plan to block vehicle exits at various depots throughout the capital.
The demonstration, organized by the Federation of Transport Unions within CITUB and the Federation of Transport Workers at the Podkrepa Confederation of Trade Unions, aims to highlight the ongoing underfunding of the sector, inadequate income policies, and the lack of meaningful dialogue from authorities.
The protest is set to take place in front of key locations across Sofia, including depots for buses, trolleybuses, and trams. Notable sites include the Krasna Polyana Tram Depot, the Iskar Tram Depot, and various bus and trolleybus garages in districts such as Nadezhda, Druzhba, and Malashevtsi.
Unions argue that public transport workers are underpaid and that the transport sector is struggling due to insufficient state funding. They are calling for the immediate allocation of BGN 40.7 million from the national budget to address the issue.
Of this, BGN 29 million is requested for Sofia City Transport, with smaller amounts designated for Varna, Ruse, and the Executive Agency “Automobile Administration.”
“This protest is not just about Sofia — it’s about the whole transport sector in Bulgaria,” said a union representative.
“From Sofia to Varna to Ruse, workers in the transport sector are facing similar challenges. We are asking for a fair distribution of funds that reflect the essential role we play in maintaining mobility across the country.”
While the protest in Sofia will be the focal point, transport workers from cities like Varna and Ruse, along with employees from the Automobile Administration, are expected to join in solidarity.
The protest will serve as a public statement against the government’s failure to engage in meaningful negotiations on how to address long-standing financial and operational challenges within the sector.
Workers’ frustrations are rooted in the sustained underfunding of public transport and insufficient income policies that have affected their livelihood.
The unions claim that this has led to deteriorating conditions, with many workers facing overburdened schedules, inadequate resources, and a lack of support from the institutions responsible for transport.
The unions are demanding an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Finance, the Council of Ministers, and Sofia Municipality to discuss their demands and find a viable solution to the crisis.
The workers are also calling for long-term investments in the sector, which they argue are essential to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of public transport across Bulgaria.
The slogan of the protest, “Decent work – decent pay! Without transport, there is no economy!” underscores the critical role that public transport plays in the nation’s functioning economy.
According to union leaders, the sector’s workers are being undervalued despite the indispensable services they provide.
With the protest expected to disrupt transport across the capital, commuters are advised to seek alternative means of travel and anticipate possible delays.
The unions are hoping their demonstration will prompt urgent action from the authorities and result in meaningful improvements for the public transport sector.
The outcome of the protest will likely have significant implications for Sofia’s public transport system and could influence broader policies affecting transport workers across the country.