Sofia – On November 20, taxi drivers across Bulgaria plan to bring major cities, highways, and roads leading to border crossings to a standstill for an hour in protest against a steep increase in the cost of mandatory “Civil Liability” insurance.
Organized as a coordinated, countrywide demonstration, drivers aim to draw attention to what they are calling an unsustainable rise in insurance premiums, which they say have soared tenfold without warning.
Taxi drivers from Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and other urban centers will be joined by colleagues blocking highways and roads at key transit points, adding to the scale of the disruption.
According to the organizers, the unprecedented surge in “Civil Liability” insurance costs is making it nearly impossible for drivers to continue working without facing severe financial strain.
For taxi drivers in Bulgaria, “Civil Liability” insurance is a legal requirement, essential for them to operate on public roads.
The recent price increase, however, has come as a shock to the industry. Drivers claim they were given no prior notice of the change, nor any clear explanation from insurance providers to justify the sudden hike. “We were blindsided,” said Vasil Ivanov, a taxi driver from Sofia.
“One day, we’re paying a manageable fee, and the next, it’s ten times higher. No one told us this was coming or why it’s happening.”
The lack of transparency surrounding the insurance hike has further fueled drivers’ frustration.
Industry representatives say that efforts to engage with insurance companies for a breakdown of costs or an explanation have been met with silence, leaving many without answers.
“The insurance companies owe us an explanation,” remarked Tanya Dimitrova, a spokesperson for one of the protest’s organizing groups.
“They cannot impose such dramatic changes overnight without communicating with those it affects most. We’re left questioning the fairness of the system.”
Taxi industry advocates argue that the dramatic rise in premiums could have significant implications not only for the drivers themselves but also for the broader transport network in Bulgaria.
With increased insurance costs, many fear that fares may need to be raised, potentially impacting passengers who rely on taxis as a primary mode of transport.
In response to growing public interest in the matter, Bulgarian authorities have stated they are monitoring the situation and are aware of the grievances within the taxi industry.
However, government officials have yet to propose any immediate solutions or regulatory interventions to address the rising insurance premiums.
Some local politicians have suggested that the matter should be investigated to ensure compliance with consumer protection laws, though no concrete steps have been announced.
The upcoming protest will mark one of the largest mobilizations by Bulgarian taxi drivers in recent years. Organizers say the planned demonstration is an attempt to bring attention to the broader issue of financial pressures facing the taxi sector.
“We are not just protesting for ourselves,” said Ivanov. “This affects all road users. If the insurance companies can impose these costs on us without any accountability, what’s to stop them from doing it elsewhere?”
As the protest date approaches, Bulgarian residents are being urged to prepare for possible traffic disruptions, particularly around major city centers, highways, and border crossing points.