In order to provide better access for citizens to Vitosha Mountain during the winter season, the Sofia Municipality is launching additional public transport buses. A new organization has been created, which comes into effect from January 18, this Saturday. In order to ensure better order and conflict-free movement in the mountain during winter conditions during the weekends, from 10:00 to 15:00, car access will be suspended.
The number of vehicles on the busiest lines with numbers 61 and 66, which reach the "Golden Bridges" area and the "Moreni" hotel, which depart from the National Palace of Culture and the Zoo, respectively, is increasing. During the weekends from "Tsar Boris III" blvd. to "Golden Bridges" buses also run on line number 63.
The main route of line No. 66 does not change, but additional routes will be operated from the "Vitosha" metro station or from Dragalevski Monastery to the "Moreni" hotel. Public transport buses have external luggage compartments for transporting skis, snowboards and sleds.
The launch of additional vehicles from "Stoliche Autotransit" and the organization of the terrain will depend on the workload and specific needs, which will be monitored on site by various units of the Sofia Municipality and the Center for Urban Mobility, assisted by the Municipal Police and the "Emergency Assistance and Prevention" Directorate.
For better access to Vitosha, the Sofia Municipality has strengthened cleaning requirements. At the insistence of the municipality, the company responsible for these activities increased its winter cleaning equipment.
Traffic control and cleaning in the mountains has been strengthened;
Vehicle access is being restricted in order to allow for unhindered thorough cleaning of the two roads in the "Dragalevtsi" district -– "Aleko" chalet; and the "Boyana" district -"Zlatnite mostove" area. If necessary, they are closed to vehicles from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for thorough cleaning at night;
In case of intense snowfall, the roads will be closed until they are completely processed and the snow is pushed away, at the discretion of the Municipal Police;
Control over improper parking in the mountain will be intensified, which greatly complicates access.
The road from the "Moreni" hotel to the "Aleko" hut has been designated as a pedestrian zone (ski school buses and Rescue Service vehicles are allowed).
The Sofia Municipality appeals to citizens to use public transport in order to reduce traffic jams in the mountain and to make the journey easier for all visitors. They also remind that when climbing the mountain, all drivers must be fully equipped for winter conditions and with chains.