- 51 people will take care of signs and paint to have a 3500 km street network
- Reactions to signals frequently enough take months, teh quality of repairs is below the required level, and the municipality does not have a clear picture of the state of the street network
- The worst quality marking process was widely used, which implies frequent re-marking and seriously increased costs for the municipality
“Sofia Streets” will be the new municipal company that will take care of the installation of markings, signs and anti-parking pegs and railings. This is what the mayor himself in charge of transport Iliyan Pavlov and municipal councilors from PP-DB-SS,BSP,ITN and “Vazrazhdane” propose in a report.
“With a total length of the road network of over 3,500 km, Sofia’s road and transport system is critically crucial.Bearing in mind
the poor condition of the street network
due to the decades of underfunding of its maintenance, and also the objective need for more frequent, high-quality and extensive repairs, the creation of additional municipal capacity in the field is more than necessary,” the report says.
The current way of working for the maintenance of the street network showed serious deficits, which lengthened the response time and complicated and expensive the provided city service.
Sofia was divided into three zones, and for each a public procurement was held for both repair and maintenance of the street network for a period of 4 years. The total value of the tenders for signs and markings is BGN 25,490,000. with VAT for 2020-2024, or about 6 mln. BGN per year.
At the same time,however,to control them,the “Traffic Management and Analysis” Directorate of the Metropolitan Municipality has a staff of 27 people,6 om koumo ca entirely for monitoring the three contracts.
Reactions to signals are delayed and frequently enough take months, the quality of repairs is below the required and expected level, the municipality does not have a clear picture of the state of the street network, and the overall system functions far below optimal. the control is understated due to the lack of mechanisms and processes for its implementation, and the verification of the performed activities has so far been verified with photos sent via Viber, the report also says.
Private companies frequently enough did not perform the work assigned to them by the Metropolitan municipality,or with delays of many months. “Unofficially, it is indeed said that the personnel and equipment required by the contracts are not permanently at the disposal of the Metropolitan Municipality. Moreover, the companies massively refused to carry out assignments for the longer-lasting road markings, without having the right to such actions, but the weak contract, the nists foreseen sanctions and the lack of administrative will to impose order, tied the hands of the Capital Municipality. The relations in the capital Municipality were not in the interest of in connection with assuming the guarantees of the laid road markings, as private companies often refused to mark with better quality paint, for which a multi-year guarantee is due, without having the right to this in the contract”, the municipal councilors also wrote in the report.
Though,the foreseen sanctions were symbolic and as an inevitable result,Sofia used the most inferior marking process,which implies frequent re-marking and seriously increased costs for the municipality.
Total investments in the new company amount to BGN 9,499,000. Of them,nearly 6.4 million BGN they will be consumables. 1.95 million for wages and insurance of 51 workers. For the establishment of the municipal enterprise “Sofia Streets” no more than the annual financial resources foreseen, ensuring the implementation of the currently existing activities, will be needed, and all funds and material assets (buildings, machines and equipment, real estate).
“Given the lack of any capacity in terms of the necessary technique, mechanization, equipment and materials, it will be necessary for the municipal enterprise to make an initial investment, which must be foreseen in the budget of the Metropolitan Municipality for 2025. After the construction of the necessary technical capacity, which are a one-time expense, the funds for the operation of the enterprise will considerably decrease, and the main expenses will be formed by the salary fund, funds for the purchase of consumables and materials, and funds for the maintenance of the buildings and facilities that are provided for the management of the enterprise,” the report also says.
In this year, no new tenders were announced for companies to maintain the marking, and the mayor Vasil Terziev decided to temporarily assign this to one of the municipal companies – “Sofinvest”.
How will the establishment of “Sofia Streets” improve the overall transport infrastructure in the city?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Transport Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re diving into the intricacies of Sofia’s transport system, which is undergoing significant changes. I’m thrilled to have with us Dr. Elena Kostova,a transport infrastructure expert. Dr. Kostova, thank you for joining us.
dr. Elena Kostova: Thank you for having me! It’s an captivating time for Sofia’s transport infrastructure.
Editor: Absolutely! Let’s start with the recent proposal to form a new municipal company called “Sofia Streets,” tasked with maintaining the road network, which spans over 3,500 km. From your perspective, why is this growth crucial for the city?
Dr. Kostova: The establishment of Sofia Streets is a critical step toward addressing the longstanding issues of underfunded street maintenance and poor quality repairs. For too long,there has been a disconnect between the city’s needs and the resources allocated to our transport network. By creating a dedicated municipal entity, Sofia can ensure more effective management, timely maintenance, and improved overall quality.
Editor: That’s an essential point. The article mentions that the existing response times to signal repairs can take months. How does this delay impact not just the city’s functionality but also safety for its residents?
Dr.Kostova: Delays in signal repairs and street maintenance can severely impact traffic flow and public safety.Poor visibility of signs and markings leads to confusion among drivers and pedestrians alike, increasing the risk of accidents. Moreover, if the municipality lacks a clear picture of the street network’s condition, it can’t effectively prioritize repairs, rendering the maintenance process both reactive and inefficient. This can erode public trust in urban management.
Editor: It sounds like Sofia’s infrastructure has been rather neglected. The article discusses the frequent need for re-marking and the associated costs. Can you elaborate on the financial implications for the municipality?
Dr. Kostova: Absolutely. The “worst quality marking process,” as mentioned, entails higher costs due to the need for frequent rework. Every time a marking fades or a sign is damaged, it incurs costs that should ideally be invested in new infrastructure or enhancements. Poor initial quality leads to a cycle of wastefulness. More strategic planning and higher quality standards could reduce these ongoing costs considerably.
Editor: With this background in mind, what do you think success would look like for the new company—in concrete terms?
Dr. Kostova: Success would mean not only improved aesthetics and functionality of Sofia’s streets but also measurable reductions in response time for repairs and the frequency of necessary re-marking. A reliable maintenance schedule, clarity in operations, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing urban conditions would indicate that Sofia Streets is on the right path.Ultimately, residents should feel safer and experience less frustration related to travel within the city.
Editor: Those sound like ambitious yet achievable goals. Do you think the current municipal council is prepared to tackle these challenges effectively?
Dr. Kostova: It’s going to be a challenging transition, for sure. The council must ensure they have the right resources and commitment to follow through with these plans. It will require collaboration across different departments and levels of government, and also the engagement of local communities and stakeholders. If managed well,this could lead to transformative improvements in Sofia’s urban landscape.
Editor: Dr. Kostova, thank you for sharing your insights with us today. It’s clear that the future of Sofia’s streets hinges on these developments, and your expertise shines a light on the path ahead.
Dr. Kostova: thank you for having me! I’m hopeful that Sofia will embrace this possibility for progress.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in to this discussion. Stay with us for more updates on Sofia’s transport initiatives and much more.