Only three days after Bulgaria joined the Schengen area, transport companies are alarmed about serious difficulties in passing through the "Danube Bridge" near Ruse. Despite the lack of queues, drivers of heavy goods vehicles are forced to get numbers from a private parking lot.
Ivo Yordanov, a representative of a transport company, told NOVA: "Why is it necessary? Since January 1, it has already been a Schengen zone and vehicles can pass freely? There is an order from the mayor - all vehicles must register in the virtual queue. Provided that there is currently no traffic."
A journalistic investigation revealed an audio recording from January 1, 2025, in which a private parking lot employee threatens a truck driver who refuses to take a number plate with police intervention.
The Ministry of Transport states that they have no authority over the organization of traffic and refers the matter to the Ruse Municipality. In their position, the department states: "Truck parking Ruse is in the urbanized territory of the city of Ruse and is managed by the Ruse Municipality. The Roads Law regulates that on the territory of a settlement, the organization of traffic is carried out by the relevant municipality."
Yordanov adds: "I called the Automobile Administration, and they don't even know what it's about. On Thursday I spoke with the Border Police in Ruse and the person explained that they have no say in whether someone is standing somewhere outside the zone."
The municipal administration in Ruse promises to comment on the case on Monday.