SOFIA, May 19, 2025 — As Sofia’s ground transport workers enter their sixth day of strike action, the city’s metro system continues to operate without interruption, offering a crucial lifeline for commuters across the Bulgarian capital.
Metropolitan, the company managing the subway network, confirmed on Monday that it will maintain its adjusted schedule and continue running additional trains to accommodate the increased passenger demand caused by the strike.
In a statement released early Monday morning, Metropolitan reassured residents that subway services on lines 1, 2, and 4 would continue with increased frequency, while additional locomotives would be deployed on line 3.
“We will not suspend operations and will continue to support passenger transport across the capital,” the statement read, thanking employees for their ongoing dedication amid the crisis.
The strike, organized by ground transport unions, has led to the complete suspension of buses, trams, and trolleybuses, severely impacting daily commutes and raising fears of further disruption as key matriculation exam dates on May 21 and 23 approach.
Talks between the unions and Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev remain deadlocked. On Sunday, Terziev announced via Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) that he was willing to meet with union representatives at 8 a.m. on Monday—on the condition that ground transport services resumed beforehand.
However, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) claimed it had not received a formal invitation and only learned of the meeting through the media.
Despite this, union representatives gathered outside Sofia Municipality at 7:45 a.m., signaling a willingness to engage in dialogue. “We are open to negotiations, but we expect them to be conducted with respect and transparency,” said a CITUB spokesperson.
Union leaders have expressed concern about the broader implications of the strike, particularly its potential to disrupt the upcoming national matriculation exams. The Federation of Transport Workers at the “Podkrepa” Trade Union has pledged to support students by providing alternative transport options should the strike continue.
Education Minister Krasimir Valchev echoed these concerns, warning that the absence of ground transport could pose serious logistical challenges. “We must ensure that every student can access their exam site on time. Without buses and trams, this task becomes significantly more difficult,” Valchev said.
Mayor Terziev, who has refused union demands for salary increases, has taken a firm stance. In a post on Facebook, he accused transport companies of financially draining the city for years and vowed to reclaim control over public services. “None of us will give up. We will get closer to reclaiming our city. The fight continues,” he declared.
Terziev has also warned that subsidies to transport companies could be withheld for the duration of the service outage, arguing that public transport salaries are already higher than those of other municipal employees.
With no agreement in sight and both sides standing firm, Sofia residents are left relying solely on the metro for daily transportation. Unless a breakthrough is achieved, the city’s ground transport system could remain paralyzed well into next week.