The Minister of Transport Hristo Alexiev assured that all the commitments he has made to the automotive industry in our country will be fulfilled.
„Since the beginning of the term of the caretaker government, together with colleagues from other ministries and branch organizations in bus, freight and taxi transport, we have developed urgent measures to support the road transport sector in several areas,“ he said.
Alexiev announced that by the end of the year up to BGN 40 million in aid will be granted to bus carriers, for which Bulgaria received official approval from the European Commission yesterday.
„It has been agreed that the alternative tax on taxis will be reduced to the legal minimum threshold of BGN 300,“ the transport minister said.
„We managed to prepare the amendments to the Ordinance on business trips and specializations abroad as soon as possible. With the changes, we almost double the amount of business trip money for international leaders. For single riding, business trips increase from 27 euros to 50 euros, and for double riding – from 21 euros to 45 euros. I thank Deputy Prime Minister Galab Donev for the quick and effective work on these changes. The amount of business trip funds was determined in 2007 and has not been updated since then. „This is a small step, but it has a great effect on the entire transport industry,“ Alexiev explained.
„This will achieve adequate compensation for workers in the automotive sector. In recent years, the lack of drivers is palpable and we believe that this step is important for retaining and attracting professional drivers“, he added.
The Minister noted that a request from Bulgaria to the Court of Justice of the European Union to suspend the implementation of some of the provisions of the Mobility I Package, in particular the provisions on the return of trucks to the Member State of establishment, is to be submitted as soon as possible.
