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“Bulgarian State Railways” EAD will update some passenger fares
06/02/2007
As of 8th February “Bulgarian State Railways” EAD will update some passenger fares. The national railway carrier will continue to fulfill its social functions and the commitments as per the PSO contract with the state.
The changes affect mainly the passenger fares for regional and fast trains at short and middle distances. The prices for short-distance travels have not been changed since August 2004, while fuel prices have gone up by 40 % since 2004 and this factor has not been reflected in passenger fares. The updating of fares for short and middle distances is also motivated by the fact that “Bulgarian State Railways” EAD should withstand a very strong competition on the part of road carriers.
Within the limits of greater Sofia (i.e. from Sofia Central Station to Zaharna fabrika, Gorna banya, Bozhurishte, Bankya, etc.), the ticket will cost 0.70 BGN and within the limits of greater Plovdiv, Bourgas, Pleven, Veliko Turnovo, Shoumen and other cities – the ticket will cost 0.60 BGN. The public transport tickets in theses cities cost between 0.70 and 0.80 BGN.
The national railway carrier will update zone fares as well. These were introduced last year for travels in some line sections in the regions of Sofia and Plovdiv. As of 8th February 2007 the zone fare for travels within one zone will be 1.00 BGN and for travels within two zones – 1.80 BGN. In order to prevent the cases when passengers travel without tickets, “Bulgarian State Railways” EAD will increase the fine, charged on board of the train.
The passenger fares for travel in the new diesel Desiros will go up by about 5 %. This will allow the railways to keep the high level of comfort and service quality.
“Bulgarian State Railways” EAD will update the prices of the railway passes “Youth” and “Classic”, which have not been changed since November 2002. Thus, the price of “Youth” railway pass will be 30.00 BGN and of “Classic” railway pass – 45.00 BGN. The privilege for discounts which the holders of these two passes are entitled to will not be changed, i.e. they will continue to benefit from a 50% discount from regular passenger fares and 25% discount from the price of subscription passes.
“Bulgarian State Railways” EAD will keep unchanged the prices of all other railway passes and the relevant discounts for their holders. The national railway carrier will continue to grant free travel to certain social groups (children under 7, war veterans, mothers with more than 3 children, etc.) The national railway carrier will also keep unchanged all other offers for discounts.
In addition to the existing offers for various types of discounts, “Bulgarian State Railways” EAD will introduce a new offer for the so called “travel in small groups”. The discount for such travels will be 15% from the regular passenger fare.
Passengers can acquire detailed information about the new offer and the changes in passenger fares from the staff at ticketing desks at railway stations and agencies in the country.
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With a view to the improvement of transport services, "Bulgarian State Railways" EAD announced as far back as last year that customers can call two „hot“ telephones in the company in order to submit signals for malpractices, complaints and proposals. The two „hot“ telephone lines are: (+ 359) 2 932 41 90 and (+ 359) 2 932 42 48. The customers of the railway can call these numbers on any weekday from 08:00 hrs till 12:00 hrs and from 13:00 hrs till 16:45 hrs
Customers can send written signals, positions and recommendations to the e-mail of "Bulgarian State Railways" EAD - bdz@bdz.bg. Each e-mail is considered by the relevant experts in the company and an answer is sent back on time.
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