Brussels, 26/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has lent €105 million for upgrading and extending the transport system in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia. This is the first loan by the Bank to a region or municipality in Bulgaria. The loan will help to implement the Sofia municipality's transport policy aimed at improving the quality of services to passengers and increase the attractiveness of public transport, thus reducing Sofia's traffic congestion by encouraging a shift from private cars to public transport. In practical terms, the loan will co-finance extension of the Sofia metro network (12.8 km of new lines and 13 new stations), the acquisition of 15 new trains for operation on the new sections, and additional investments upgrading the road network and the parking system linked to the metro. According to the EIB, it is expected that, after the project is implemented, the number of passengers using the Sofia metro will increase to one million a day. (O.L./transl.jl)