COVID-19

The Ministry of Transport and Communications assessed the applications of Bulgarian airlines for grants.

The approved eligible candidates will receive a grant of a total of BGN 56 million. The timely provision of assistance will maintain the competitiveness of Bulgarian airlines.

The financial support is provided by the State Budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications paid BGN 29,119,637 to support bus carriers to deal with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By the application deadline, 639 applications had been submitted. MTITC assessed administrative compliance and eligibility by approving for funding 580 bus undertakings with which it concluded grant agreements.

The Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications approved another 28 applications for funding from bus hauliers, worth a total of nearly BGN 2.4 million. This concludes the evaluation of all applications received in the first and second evaluation sessions, under procedure BG16RFOP002-2.091 "Support for SMEs operating bus services to overcome the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic". Thus, the Ministry provides operating capital to a total of 580 bus hauliers to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications approved for funding another 344 applications by bus carriers from the second evaluation session. They have a total value of nearly BGN 12.8 million. Thus, the number of all bus companies approved so far is 552. Almost BGN 14 million is the funding already paid for the 208 project proposals approved at the beginning of the month under the measure from the first evaluation session.

The Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications approved for funding the first 208 applications of bus carriers, from the first evaluation session. The applications approved so far are worth a total of nearly BGN 14 million. The funds are allocated under procedure BG16RFOP002-2.091 "Support for bus and coach SMEs to overcome the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic".

Within the shortest possible notice, the Ministry will proceed to the conclusion of the grant agreements with the applicants whose applications have been approved.

The Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Rossen Jeliazkov presented to branch organizations the measures taken so far, related to freight and bus transport. The Recovery Plan was also discussed, as well as the formation of national measures for the way in which the sources from the Next Generation EU Fund will be invested.

Starting tomorrow, May 4, 2020, the training of driving license applicants and the theoretical exams will resume. Practical exams are also starting on May 11. These activities must be carried out with strict observance of all safety measures - disinfection of vehicles after each student, compulsory use of masks and gloves, physical distance during the theoretical exams in the halls, with the number of students tested to be halved. Exams and trainings for professional competence and for the transport of dangerous goods are being renewed.

The European Commission approved Bulgaria's requests for temporary exceptions (derogation) to the rules in international road transport. This was announced during today's videoconference of transport ministers of the European Union on the impact of COVID-19 on the transport sector.

On May 4, 2020, the theory parts of the driving tests for driving licence candidates are resumed, and on May 11, 2020, the practical parts of the driving tests. This was announced after today's meeting of the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Rossen Jeliazkov and representatives of the teachers in auto-motor training. The talks were also attended by Deputy Minister Angel Popov and the Executive Director of the Road Transport Administration EA Boyko Ranovski.