The World Bank has agreed to support and provide advisory services for the implementation of National Electronic Tolling System in Bulgaria.

In this regard, the World Bank has signed a contract with Bulgaria’s Roads Infrastructure Agency to provide Reimbursable Advisory Services for the deployment of e-tolling system.

The contract requires the World Bank to provide expert and technical assistance, monitoring and quality assurance support, toll network and rate analysis and calculation, as well as technical communication support.

It will also appoint a team to facilitate transfer of knowledge and help Bulgaria to fulfil European Union directives on tolling.

Previously, the World Bank was also involved in assisting Bulgaria to adopt a national tolling framework.

“We are committed to continue bringing up the best of our global knowledge, along with promoting Bulgaria’s experience for the benefit of the whole region.”

It recommended a model that introduces e-tolling for heavy vehicles using a Global Navigation Satellite System-based onboard unit registering data and e-vignette for light vehicles to facilitate toll collection.

World Bank country manager for Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Slovakia Tony Thompson said: “It is a privilege for the World Bank to partner with the Bulgarian Roads Infrastructure Agency and Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works in implementing cutting-edge solutions to maximise revenues to address the critical needs of the road sector in Bulgaria.

“We are committed to continue bringing up the best of our global knowledge, along with promoting Bulgaria’s experience for the benefit of the whole region.”

The contract signed by the two parties is subject to parliamentary ratification.

In January, the Road Infrastructure Agency signed a contract with a Kapsch TrafficCom-led consortium to develop a toll system for roads.

This system is expected to increase annual revenues of the agency by threefold, thereby increasing the amount of funding to carry out road repair works.