/ world today news/ On January 31, we invite Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and his ministers to travel with us to Bankya by train, to see how many people will ride in it, to talk about the problems with rail transport and to ask each other the uncomfortable questions to them.
This is what the protesters at the Central Station in Sofia said against the stopping of certain trains, although not for all 38 previously announced lines, but later revised by the minister, reported a BGNES reporter.
Next Saturday, the Civil Initiative for Public and Rail Transport (GIORT) and the Association for the Preservation and Development of Railways will hand out timetables to travelers at the Central Station – a service that is also done in other countries in Europe.
Today’s protesting railroad workers and passengers raised slogans such as “Privatization is equal to robbery and liquidation”, “Hands down from BDZ”, “BDZ – for the people, not for the corporations” and others.
“What is happening now is throwing dust in people’s eyes because there was a big wave of protests against the closing of railway lines,” said Georgi Statkov from GIORT. He asks why, after each contraction, BDZ sinks more and more. He and his colleagues also ask why customers are being driven away by running fewer and less comfortable trains. Not to mention the hygiene and security, because the repair base has been liquidated, and the repairs are carried out spontaneously, by removing parts of the inactive rolling stock and installing them on the active one, he continued.
According to Statkov, it seems that someone has an interest – the car companies with a lobby in power, that the railway transport is slow, dirty and inconvenient, in order to push customers away from the railways.
The protesters do not believe the Minister of Transport Ivaylo Moskovski that there will be no cuts in trains. BDZ employees claim that these 40 million leva subsidy will not be able to ensure either stabilization of the railway or reform. Veselin Kirev from the civil initiative stated that all citizens who wish can order “to see where the problems are in railway transport. Let’s see if there are losing railway lines, if there are profitable roads”.
#Protesters #invite #Boyko #cabinet #travel #train #Bankya
**How does the Ministry of Transport plan to measure the effectiveness of the 40 million leva subsidy in improving Bulgarian rail transport, and how will they address concerns regarding transparency and public involvement in decision-making?**
## World Today News Exclusive Interview: The Future of Bulgarian Rail Transport
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News. Today we’re diving deep into the heated debate surrounding Bulgarian rail transport. Joining us are Georgi Statkov, representative of the Civil Initiative for Public and Rail Transport (GIORT), and a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport, who we’ll introduce shortly.
This discussion comes following recent protests against the suspension of certain train lines. Many Bulgarians, including organizations like GIORT, are concerned about the future of their railways.
**Section 1: The Concerns of the People**
**Host:** Mr. Statkov, thank you for joining us. Can you elaborate on the specific concerns that led to the recent protests and the “train ride invitation” extended to Prime Minister Borisov and his cabinet?
**Georgi Statkov:** Certainly. We’re witnessing a systematic dismantling of Bulgarian rail transport. Each reduction in service, each closure of a line, further weakens BDZ, our national railway company.
**Host:** You mentioned a trend of reduced service and fewer trains. What impact does this have on the everyday lives of Bulgarians relying on rail transport?
**Georgi Statkov:** It’s a vicious cycle.
Reduced service pushes people towards cars, leading to increased transportation costs and traffic congestion. This further discourages the use of trains, justifying further cuts…
**Host:** It sounds like a self-perpetuating problem. Are there alternative solutions being proposed?
**Georgi Statkov:** Absolutely. We believe transparency is crucial.
**Section 2: The Government’s Perspective**
**Host:** (Addressing Ministry of Transport Spokesperson) Thank you for joining us. The protesters express skepticism about the government’s assurances regarding the future of Bulgarian rail transport. How would you respond to these concerns?
**Ministry Spokesperson:** We understand the concerns of the public and are committed to improving rail transport. The 40 million leva subsidy is a significant investment aimed at stabilizing BDZ. It’s premature to dismiss it as insufficient.
**Host:** The protesters question the allocation of these funds and argue they won’t necessarily lead to tangible improvements. What specific measures will these funds be used for, and how will their effectiveness be measured?
**Ministry Spokesperson:** (Provides detailed explanation of the intended use of the funds and proposed strategies for evaluating their impact)
**Section 3: Finding Common Ground**
**Host:** Gentlemen, where do you see common ground in addressing these complex issues? What concrete steps can be taken to ensure a sustainable future for Bulgarian rail transport?
**Georgi Statkov:** Public engagement is crucial. We need open discussions about the challenges and potential solutions. We urge the government to involve civil society organizations and passengers in shaping the future of rail transport.
**Ministry Spokesperson:**
We are committed to open dialog and collaboration. We welcome
constructive criticism and are always willing to explore innovative solutions to enhance Bulgaria’s rail network.
**Host:** This is clearly a complex issue with strong opinions on both sides. We appreciate your willingness to engage in this important conversation. The future of Bulgarian rail transport will require continued dialog, collaboration, and a genuine commitment from both the government and the people. Thank you both for your time.
**Closing Remarks**
This interview structure focuses on key issues, creates opportunities for contrasting viewpoints, and encourages a balanced and informative discussion. It allows for in-depth exploration of the concerns surrounding Bulgarian rail transport while highlighting the need for collaborative solutions.
