Balgarianovinite.com The shortage of public transport drivers remains a serious challenge in Sofia and across Europe. To address it, Stolichen Avtotransport, the capital’s municipal transport operator, is recruiting 25 foreign drivers, while a further 15 candidates have joined a programme for free training in exchange for a three-year work commitment, the company said on Monday.
Stolichen Avtotransport CEO Stilyan Manolov said drivers have been provided with new uniforms and long-awaited repairs are underway as part of efforts to improve working conditions. The company also offers free courses for obtaining a category D driving licence. He noted that recruitment efforts continue, but said insufficient funding for fleet renewal remains the main cause of staff turnover.
Bus driver Ivaylo Georgiev, who has worked in Sofia for 12 years, said the biggest challenges include heavy traffic and poor road infrastructure. While he currently drives a new bus, many colleagues operate vehicles more than 20 years old with mileage exceeding 1.5 million kilometres. Frequent technical faults in braking, air and air-conditioning systems lead to regular workshop visits, schedule disruptions and overtime.
According to the International Road Transport Union (IRU), Europe has around 105,000 vacant city and intercity bus driver positions – nearly 10% of the required workforce. The shortage has increased by 54% since 2022, and forecasts suggest it could reach 275,000 by 2028. The average age of drivers is now over 50, while only 3% are under 25, and women make up 16% of the workforce.
A similar trend is observed at Stolichen Avtotransport, where 122 drivers have retired so far this year. While many previously continued working after retirement, this is now increasingly rare.
“In Bulgaria, as in Europe, we are trying to address these trends through higher wages, improved working conditions and active recruitment campaigns. However, this is not enough. More substantial restructuring and more efficient use of available resources are needed,” Manolov said.
Addressing concerns about the roadworthiness of the fleet, he said all tyres are replaced promptly and the company maintains sufficient stock. He added that tyres wear out more quickly due to tramline crossings during roadworks, which can cause daily damage. Municipal Bus Operator to Address Driver Shortage with Foreign Hires 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-06-22 12:40:59 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law