Sofia Mayor Unveils Road map for Vitosha Lift Restoration

Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev has released a detailed plan, dubbed the “Road Map,” outlining the steps necessary to restore the Vitosha lifts. The mayor shared this plan on his official Facebook page, specifying key actions and responsible parties.

According to terziev, the restoration of the Simeonovsky, Dragalevski, and Knyazhevski lifts hinges on multiple entities, not solely the local management. The mayor emphasized the importance of collaboration and adherence to regulatory frameworks.

Key Steps and Responsibilities

• Conceptual Project and Funding: Vitosha Ski AD (Technoalpin), the lift system’s owner, must develop a conceptual project for restoration, including funding. This project should detail new technology, capacity, station locations, and speed.
• Permitting: The owner must submit the project for permits to the Sofia Municipality’s “Architecture and Urban Planning” division and other relevant institutions.
• Legislative Framework Analysis: If regulatory gaps impede restoration, a detailed examination of the legislative framework is required.
• Vitosha Nature Park Management Plan Update: An update to the Vitosha Nature Park Management Plan is essential. The last 10-year plan expired in 2014, and a new one is needed to regulate activities within the park.
• Urban Collateral: Restoration requires urban collateral in urbanized territories, necessitating detailed development plans for seamless lift passage, especially in the Simeonovo quarter.
• Final Permits and Installation: After completing the above steps, Vitosha Ski AD must meet requirements for final permits, including environmental impact assessments, and proceed with lift delivery and installation.

Legislative Considerations

Terziev highlighted the need to analyze the law on Forests, particularly concerning lifts in Vitosha Nature Park. He explained:

If the conceptual project provides for the mandatory placement of pillars in new places other than the existing ones, the Law on Forests in respect of lifts in Vitosha Nature Park must be analyzed. This law regulates the reconstruction in forest areas of existing lifts – but only to tolerate construction (old sites without construction documentation).Construction (i.e., legal), such as those of Vitosha.

Vasil Terziev, Mayor of Sofia

The responsible parties for this analysis include the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Executive Agency for Forests, and the Parliamentary Commitee on Agriculture, Foods, and Forests.

Terziev also noted the potential for increased capacity with updated lifts:

The old Dragalevski lift,which has a capacity of 300 passengers per hour,after an update can upload to Bai Krustyo and from there to Goli Peak.And the Simeonovian lift, whose capacity is 1500 passengers per hour, could have more capacity, especially if the 6-seater cabin is replaced by 8- or 10-seat.

Vasil Terziev, Mayor of Sofia

He emphasized the need for a new development plan to build a starting station on the Simeonovian lift, connecting buses, trams, cars, and the subway.

Commitment to Action

terziev affirmed the Sofia Municipality’s commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities to ensure the Vitosha lifts are operational again.

From Sofia Municipality they will make maximum effort to do their part of the work and the Vitosha’s Iphones to work again.

Vasil Terziev, Mayor of Sofia