100 000 in Sofia Give up Cars for Metro 'Sake'

The second line in Bulgaria's capital Sofia was officially launched on August 31 2012. Photo by BGNES

The number of Sofia residents and visitors who use the subway has increased by 40% after the opening of the second metro line.

The news was reported Sunday by bTV.

The second line, with 11 new stops, was officially launched on August 31 2012.

After that an estimated 100 000 people have given up on driving in favor of the subway.

The waiting time between trains on the second line is, however, quite long with anywhere between 7 and 9 minutes and it is expected to remain such.

"The first line remains the busiest. In rush hour we have additional trains and the time between them is 3 minutes. The second line is not as busy thus the fewer trains," said Stoyan Bratoev, Director of the Metropolitain company.

According to him, most of the underground shops at the new stops have already been rented, but remain closed due to paperwork procedures. The shops will sell mainly non-alcoholic beverages and sandwiches and there will be souvenir shops as well.

The rents are EUR 75 per square meter in downtown Sofia and EUR 65 in the suburbs.

Bratoev explains that the subway staff will not be increased for the time being because the management is waiting to find out if the interest towards using the subway will be a lasting one or just curiosity to see the new acquisition.

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