The city of Varna demonstrates a modal split of 65 percent private cars; 30 percent public transport; and 5 percent either pedestrian (mostly younger people) or infrequently mobile (mostly old people). It has developed the City Sustainable Development Plan for the period 2007 to 2013. This document contains a plan for the development of urban mobility that includes the development of existing city transport, and investigates the possibilities for alternative city transportation, such as monorail. Its main goal is to make city public transport more attractive in order to overcome the problem of heavy traffic, especially in the city center.
Although good progress has been made in this area, it has taken place slowly. Some of the innovative measures implemented are city transport information systems and the purchase of new buses with facilities for disabled people. In addition, 10 new city buses that run on methane gas have been purchased.
There are many challenges with respect to transportation issues, one of the main ones being the continuous increase in the city’s population. Varna is considered as attractive Bulgarian city in which to live, leading to a large influx of people.
The city cooperates on sustainable transport issues with various NGOs as well as with a number of companies.
Summary finalized: February 2010
