News

6 February 2026

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva addressed the mayor of Sofia Municipality, Vasil Terziev, and the chairman of the Sofia Municipal Council, Tsvetomir Petrov, urging them to reconsider the decision to terminate the "Park and Ride" service at the two buffer parking lots – on James Bourchier Boulevard and at the Vasil Levski Stadium. The decision to terminate the service was made by the Sofia Municipality Council on 28 May 2017, at the request of the Sofia Municipality.

The reason for this is that citizens have sent in reports expressing serious concern about the planned changes. They emphasize that the "Park and Ride" service plays a significant role in limiting car traffic to the central city area, reducing congestion and harmful emissions, and encouraging the use of public transport—key objectives of sustainable urban mobility.

According to citizens, the proposed alternative—paid parking with high monthly fees—cannot be considered equivalent, as it places a significant portion of current users at an economic disadvantage and contradicts the principle of proportionality.

Particular attention is paid to the peripheral and buffer role of James Bourchier Boulevard, which "collects" traffic from the southern and outlying areas of the capital, where public transport is insufficient.

According to citizens, its removal will inevitably lead to an increase in car traffic in central urban areas.

The Ombudsman shares people's concerns about the extremely short deadline for implementing the changes, as well as the lack of publicly announced motives, impact analysis, or assessment of the consequences for citizens who use the "Park and Ride" service on a daily basis.

Velislava Delcheva points out that the mayor's order to reduce the number of buffer parking lots in Sofia from six to four contradicts both the municipal authorities' public calls for citizens to use buffer parking and public transport, and the priorities for the management of the Sofia Municipality for the 2023-2027 mandate, which provide for the expansion and development of this type of infrastructure.

In her letter, the Ombudsman also raises specific questions related to the allegations of abuse in the management of the two parking lots—about the manner in which the inspections were conducted, their scope, their results, and whether the potential violators were held accountable.

"The Sofia Municipality is responsible for exercising the necessary control over the use of buffer parking lots, and not, due to the lack of such control, depriving citizens of their established rights and conveniences in the urban environment," emphasises Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva.

She points out that the consequences of the decision will affect a significant number of citizens and will lead to an increase in traffic in the capital.

"The decision to terminate the "Park and Ride" service at the buffer parking lots on James Bourchier Boulevard and at the Vasil Levski Stadium will affect a significant number of citizens and will have a direct impact on traffic in the capital. Therefore, although the Ordinance gives the mayor the right to designate parking lots where the "Park and Ride" service is offered, the lack of consultation or public debate on the issue is particularly concerning. Therefore, although the Ordinance gives the mayor the right to determine the parking lots where the "Park and Ride" service is offered, the lack of consultation or public discussion, as well as discussion in the Sofia City Council on the possibility of reducing the number of park-and-ride facilities, is particularly worrying," Delcheva said.

She therefore insists on a review of the decision, in accordance with the principles of openness, transparency, and genuine public participation.