Towards a climate neutral EU:
efficient allocation of EU funds

Narrative

Narrative

In order to achieve the objectives of the OP “Regions in Growth” 2014-2020, as well as to achieve sustainable and smart growth, integrity and synergistic effect, as a result of a detailed feasibility study, a design decision was approved by decision of the Pleven Municipality, which provides for the replacement of rolling stock — trolleybuses and service machines; deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems — Electronic Passenger Charging System in Massive Urban Public Transport (LGT) and an electronic system for charging passengers in the mass urban public transport (MUGT); implementation of the CCTV system of key junctions in Pleven for traffic control and regulation. Within the envisaged scope, this project will increase the quality of the offered transport services and the popularity of public urban transport. The project aims to develop and build successfully completed projects in the last programming period: “Integrated urban transport of Pleven” and “Organisation of street traffic and improvement of the physical environment for sustainable and integrated development of the town of Pleven” under OPRD 2007-2013; “Implementation of measures to improve quality of life in the cities of Burgas, Varna, Stara Zagora and Pleven” under OP Environment 2007-2013. The main objective of the project is to achieve sustainable urban transport in Pleven by reducing emissions, noise and improving the quality of transport services. Specific objectives: Environmental protection by improving the characteristics of vehicles serving public transport - replacement of outdated and depreciated vehicles with new ones meeting the regulatory standards for harmful emissions; Improve the speed and quality of public transport services, thereby encouraging more people to choose them over private car transport; Improve the permeability of junctions and give priority to public transport vehicles through automated 'smart' traffic light control; Improve accessibility - providing low-floor vehicles, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, facilitating access to vehicles and intervention sites; Increased attractiveness of public transport through increased quality of service; Improvement of the environment by reducing harmful emissions; Reducing noise in urban areas; Efficient and adequate traffic management; Improving road safety; Reduction of road accidents.

Good practices and innovations:

As a result of the implementation of the project, a trolleybus depot in Druzhba was built, and 14 trolleybuses and 14 new electric buses were purchased. Once the charging stations are built, the newly purchased electric buses will be included in the municipality's transport scheme. Further, the implementation of a video surveillance system at key intersections in the city of Pleven was established. The surveillance covers a total of 16 intersections in Pleven - 8 traffic lights in the central part and 8 without traffic light regulation on the periphery of the city, covering all entrance-exit arteries. Further, 180 video cameras have been installed to monitor traffic in real time. Specialized service machines for trolleybus transport have also been delivered. Under the same project, an electronic charging system for Pleven's public transport has been introduced. As a result of the project, Pleven ranks among the first cities with about 95 percent environmentally friendly urban transport, according to the project beneficiary – namely, the Pleven Municipality.

Financial data

The total project cost equals 15 987 519.62 BGN (6 948 145.29 EUR), whereas the own funding is, the total amount actually paid 69 053.93 BGN, is 13 368 942.09 BGN, and the EU co-financing percentage equals 85.00 %.

Recommendations

Recommendations In the first quarter of 2022, the average monthly wage in Pleven District is BGN 1 237, down 1.0% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. For the public sector the average monthly wage is BGN 1 432 and for the private sector - BGN 1 144. Compared to other districts of the country in the first quarter of 2022, Pleven District ranked 12th in terms of average gross wages. The highest wages were earned by employees in Sofia (capital city) - BGN 2 218, and the lowest in Kardzhali - BGN 1 022. The average monthly wage for the country was BGN 1 593. - BGN 356 higher than that for the district of Pleven. Nevertheless, the ticket price for trolleybus transport in Pleven changed from BGN 1.00 to BGN 1.50 as of March 2022. The prices of some of the subscription cards for public transport are also updated. The prices of monthly season tickets for students remain unchanged. To compare, the public transport ticket in Sofia is BGN 1.60, and in Plovdiv is BGN 1.00. In Plovdiv, the average gross monthly wages of employees is BGN 1404 within the first quarter of 2022. Therefore, the increase of the public transport ticket in Pleven does not justify the living standard of the inhabitants of the city, and bears the risk of decreasing the attractiveness of public transport, and, as a result, its utilization by the general public.

Information sources

Other info

https://kohesio.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/Q3886428 https://www.pleven.bg/bg/novini/obshtina-pleven-sklyuchi-dogovor-za-predostavyane-na-bezvazmezdna-finansova-pomosht-po-proekt-razvitie-na-integriran-gradski-transport-gr-pleven https://www.pleven.bg/bg/priroda-i-ekologiya/ekologichen-troleybusen-transport/ https://obs.pleven.bg/bg/novini/ot-1-mart-tsenata-na-bileta-za-troleybusniya-transport-v-pleven-stava-150-lv/ https://pleven.utre.bg/2022/07/15/609008-srednata_zaplata_v_oblast_pleven_e_bila_1237_lv_za_purvoto_trimesechie_na_2022_g