Headline:
Chaos at the Bulgaria or Neighboring Countries?”>Danube Bridge: Truckers Left Bewildered by New ‘Shenken’ Rules
Subhead:
Just days after Bulgaria’s full Schengen integration, truckers face unexpected hurdles at the Danube Bridge in Ruse
Article:
In the aftermath of Bulgaria’s full integration into the Schengen Area on January 1, 2023, truck drivers and transport companies have been grappling with an unexpected challenge at the Danube Bridge in Ruse. The bridge, a vital border crossing between Bulgaria and Romania, has been the scene of confusion and frustration as drivers are now required to obtain a number from a private parking lot before they can cross, even when there’s no apparent traffic congestion.
A leaked recording from New Year’s Day captures a bewildered truck driver being told he would face police intervention if he didn’t comply with the new system. Similar cases have been reported in the first three days of the new year, leaving truckers and transport firms scrambling for answers.
"This is absurd," said Ivo Jordanov, a spokesperson for a transport company affected by the situation. "We’re now in the Schengen zone, so our vehicles should be crossing freely. Yet, we’re being told we need to register with a virtual queue, and the only way to do that is by going through a private parking lot. And we’re told this is by order of the mayor."
In the years prior to Bulgaria’s Schengen integration, these virtual queue numbers helped manage lengthy truck queues stretching for kilometers. However, with traffic volumes significantly reduced at the start of 2023, truckers are at a loss to explain why the system remains in place.
NOVA reached out to several institutions to understand who is orchestrating this new system. The Ministry of Transport asserted that they lack the authority to organize the situation and insisted that the virtual queue system is intended to help, not hinder, drivers. The regional ministry deflected the issue to the municipality of Ruse. The mayor’s office promised a response on the matter by Monday.
Truck drivers and transport companies are now left in limbo, unsure of who to turn to for clarification. As Bulgaria embarks on its Schengen journey, such unexpected hurdles threaten to disrupt supply chains and cause unnecessary delays.
This is a developing story. Stay with NOVA for updates.
