Taxi fares in Sofia are set to increase for the first time in a decade, following a proposal backed by the city’s taxi organizations. The plan, which introduces a standardized fare calculation methodology, is expected to be voted on by the Sofia Municipal Council later this week.
According to Kiril Rizov, chairman of Union Taxi, the proposed adjustment will raise fares by 23 to 26 stotinki per kilometer, translating to an overall increase of 18.6% in the minimum taxi rate. Rizov shared the details after attending a municipal commission meeting, describing the decision as a “long-awaited reform” for the city’s taxi industry.
“For the first time after ten years of calls, we are finally achieving a major step: introducing a methodology for calculating fares,” Rizov told the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He explained that taxi pricing in Sofia had long been determined without a consistent or transparent system, often varying arbitrarily between companies.
The newly proposed methodology is designed to ensure fairer and more predictable rates by taking into account three main factors: inflation over the past five years, increases in the minimum wage and social security contributions, and changes in fuel prices.
Based on these indicators, an initial fare increase of 15.2% was calculated. An additional 3.4% was added to anticipate further inflation through 2026.
Under the proposed changes, the daytime rate will rise from 1.20 BGN per kilometer to 1.43 BGN, while the nighttime rate will increase from 1.39 BGN to 1.65 BGN. Rizov emphasized that this adjustment closely aligns with the 20% rise taxi operators had initially requested.
“We pushed for a 20% increase, so this result is very close to our goal,” Rizov said. He added that all major taxi organizations, including those that had earlier demanded more substantial hikes of up to 100%, now unanimously support the new methodology and the proposed rate structure.
The planned increase follows growing financial strain on taxi drivers, who have faced escalating fuel costs and rising living expenses. Many operators argue that the existing rates no longer reflect economic realities and make it increasingly difficult to sustain their businesses.
City officials have indicated that the vote on the fare revision will take place during Thursday’s Municipal Council session. If approved, the new tariffs will come into effect within weeks, marking the first official fare adjustment since 2015.
While the rise may lead to slightly higher transport costs for passengers, supporters of the measure believe it will improve service quality, stabilize the taxi sector, and create a fairer system that responds to Sofia’s changing economic conditions.
For residents and visitors alike, the fare adjustment signals a new chapter in how Sofia’s urban transport system adapts to inflation and cost-of-living pressures—introducing long-overdue transparency into a vital public service.