The ticket for a single trip in Sofia's public transportation will rise from the current 0.70 leva to one lev as of July 1.

The 43 per cent increase, approved by the city hall on June 12, is the result of months of lobbying by Sofia deputy mayor on transport Velizar Stoilov, who has claimed that the price of the tickets did not even cover basic maintenance of the rolling stock.

According to Stoilov, one of the reasons for the price raise was the high oil price on world markets. The ticket price in Sofia will be the most expensive ticket price throughout the country.

Sofia residents can exchange old tickets for new during the month of July either at Vuzrazhdane 1 square or at 84 Maria Luisa boulevard, two of the offices of Sofia Public Transport Company in the city. New tickets would be issued after payment of the difference of 0.30 leva, Sofia municipality said on June 27.

As previously reported by The Sofia Echo, monthly pass for all lines will cost 50 leva, up from the current 37, councillors decided. A pass for six trips will cost 7.50 leva while a pass for five trips will cost 4.25 leva.