General conditions for intercity travel in Bulgaria

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR BUS TRANSPORTATION OF PASSENGERS BY INTER-TOWN BUS TRANSPORT IN THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA, IMPLEMENTED BY UNION IVKONI LTD.

AND

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR SALE OF BUS TICKETS FOR DOMESTIC BUS LINES AND USE OF THE ONLINE SYSTEM OF UNION IVKONI LTD.

These General Terms and Conditions also apply to travel on lines served by the carrier Group Plus and Unibus.

DEFINITIONS

1. 'Passenger transport' is the activity of a person who provides services for the transport of passengers by motor vehicle for hire or reward or for economic benefit.

2. 'Public passenger transport' is the transport of passengers carried out for hire or reward or for economic gain, which is carried out by a motor vehicle.

3. 'Bus line' is a permanent route for the implementation of bus transportation according to an approved schedule.

4. 'Regular bus services' are those services which involve the transport of passengers at specified intervals along specified routes, with passengers boarding and alighting at predetermined stops.

5. 'Carrier' means any natural or legal person registered as a trader who carries out public transport of passengers and goods using vehicles intended for that purpose and who holds a Community licence and certified copies of the licence issued by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications.

6. 'Carrier' means any natural or legal person registered as a trader who carries out public transport of passengers and goods using vehicles intended for that purpose and who holds a Community licence and certified copies of the licence issued by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications.

7. 'Client' is a person who wishes to purchase a travel ticket and intends to use the Carrier's passenger transportation service and/or use the bus ticket sales system via the Carrier's website.

8. 'Ticket' is a transport document for a single journey by one vehicle for a specified time along a specified route, or other evidence of a concluded contract for the carriage of a passenger, which legitimizes the passenger as a party to the contract of carriage.

9.1. 'Fiscal ticket' is a ticket that is issued by a fiscal device and has all the necessary legally required details.

9.2. 'Blank ticket' is a ticket that is not issued by a fiscal device, has all the necessary legally required details, issued on chemical-coated paper in at least two copies and with at least two security elements on the paper and/or in the seal, printed in accordance with the Regulation on the conditions and procedure for printing and control of securities.

9.3. An 'Electronic Ticket' is an automatic confirmation of a ticket purchased online from the website of Union Ivkoni LTD, which has all the legally required details.

9. A 'round-trip ticket' is a transport document for transportation in two directions along the same route.

10. 'Ticket revalidation' is a change in travel date and/or time.

11. 'Cancellation' is a refusal to travel.

12. 'Baggage Check' is a document establishing the belonging of specific baggage to a specific passenger.

13. 'Luggage' are items belonging to a passenger, separated into a suitcase and/or bag and/or sack and/or other means of carrying items, intended for transportation in the luggage compartment of the bus and which are subject to check-in.

14. 'Hand luggage' are items belonging to a passenger, whether or not separated in a bag and/or backpack and/or satchel and/or other means of carrying items, which the passenger carries with him/her, are not intended for transportation in the luggage compartment of the bus, and which the passenger keeps with him/her during the journey in the passenger compartment of the bus.

15. 'Departure Time' is the time of departure of the bus from an initial or subsequent stop as scheduled (and/or stated in the ticket) and is the earliest possible time for the bus to depart. The departure time may be changed by the Carrier in the event of circumstances and reasons beyond the Carrier's control.

16. 'Arrival Time' is the time of arrival of the bus at an intermediate or final stop as scheduled (and/or specified in the ticket), which is approximate, taking into account traffic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Carrier. The arrival time may be changed by the Carrier in the event of circumstances and reasons beyond the Carrier's control.

17. 'Discount' is the value of the reduction in the ticket price that the Carrier provides to: legally defined categories of passengers; in the case of promotions, promotions, campaigns; customer discount cards or those provided for in the General Terms and Conditions, etc.

18. 'Delay' is a deviation from the previously announced travel time, which deviation exceeds the total travel time by ten percent, but not less than one hour.

1. Effect of the General Terms and Conditions

These General Terms and Conditions determine the responsibilities, rights and obligations of the Carrier and the Passenger when transporting passengers by intercity bus transport, carried out on the territory of the country by Union Ivkoni LTD and the conditions for the sale of bus tickets for domestic bus lines and the use of the online system of Union Ivkoni LTD. They are applicable and mandatory for all Passengers traveling on domestic bus lines of Union Ivkoni LTD and all bus transportation of passengers performed on these lines. 

These General Terms and Conditions shall apply and be in force from the date of their publication on the Carrier's website at www.union-ivkoni.com. Until these General Terms and Conditions come into force, the previous ones, announced in the same manner, shall apply. In the event of changes to the General Terms and Conditions, they shall apply and be in force from the date of their publication on the Carrier's website at www.union-ivkoni.com. Extracts from these General Terms and Conditions are published on the back of the tickets due to the technical impossibility of printing the entire text. In the event of a difference between the text of these General Terms and Conditions and the extracts from them printed on the back of the tickets, the clauses of the General Terms and Conditions published on the Carrier's website at www.union-ivkoni.com shall apply. The General Terms and Conditions are available in hard copy at each of the Carrier's ticket offices and offices and may be made available for inspection upon request by Customers and Passengers. When conducting promotions and events whose terms differ from the rules of these General Terms and Conditions, the rules of the relevant promotion or event will apply for the period for which it was announced.

2. Contract of Carriage

The ticket represents the contract for bus transportation, which is concluded between the Carrier and the Passenger upon purchase of the ticket by the latter. By virtue of the concluded contract, the Carrier undertakes to transport the Passenger and his luggage along the route indicated in the ticket against payment by the Passenger of the transportation price and compliance with these General Terms and Conditions. The Carrier assumes its responsibilities pursuant to Art. 42 - Art. 48 of the Road Transport Act, the applicable regulatory enactments and these General Terms and Conditions. By purchasing the ticket, respectively concluding the transportation contract, the Passenger accepts these General Terms and Conditions in full and without exception, which constitute the conditions, rights and obligations of the parties to the transportation contract, and undertakes to comply with them.

3. Terms and conditions for purchasing and receiving tickets

3.1. Each Customer has the opportunity to make a physical purchase of a ticket, on site at the cash desks and offices of the Carrier, as well as from contractors of the Carrier, for which tickets these General Terms and Conditions are also applicable.

3.2. Each Customer has the opportunity to use the ticket sales services and purchase a ticket through the online ticket sales system on the Carrier's website at www.union-ivkoni.com, in accordance with the requirements of these General Terms and Conditions and the rules for access and purchase. Through its online bus ticket sales system, Union Ivkoni Ltd. offers bus ticket sales services for the bus lines of Union Ivkoni Ltd., but does not undertake to provide assistance when using the system.

3.2.1. To access the online ticket sales system on the Carrier's website, the Client must have ensured the availability of the following technical parameters - stable internet connection; Internet browser - minimum versions: Mozilla Firefox 8.0, Internet Explorer 8 or Google Chrome.

3.2.2. Steps and method of purchasing a ticket through the online ticket sales system on the Carrier's website:

3.2.2.1. Select the desired destination by filling in the 'Departure from' and 'To' fields.

3.2.2.2. Select the type of ticket - one-way / return ticket.

3.2.2.3. Select travel date.

3.2.2.4. Specify the number of tickets you are looking for.

3.2.2.5. Press the 'Find' button.

3.2.2.6. In the next step, you will see a table showing the possible days and times of the trip you are looking for. Select your desired departure time and the corresponding return time (if your ticket is round-trip). Confirm your choice by pressing the 'Select' button.

3.2.2.7. In the next step, fill in the passenger details - name and surname, date of birth, customer card number / promo code or voucher (if you have any). Fill in the date of birth to be granted an age discount, if you meet the conditions for such (child, youth up to 26 years old, pensioner). Discounts do not accumulate - the system automatically selects the highest discount. In the 'Contact details' field, indicate a valid e-mail address to which you will receive the electronic ticket and a valid contact phone number. The e-mail address and/or phone number are used to contact passengers in the event of changes in the schedule. If the passenger has not provided a valid e-mail address and/or phone number, the carrier is not responsible for changes in the schedule and will not honor any claims of the passenger regarding complaints due to failure to provide up-to-date contact information. 

3.2.2.8. When purchasing tickets for more than one passenger, enter the required details for each passenger.

3.2.2.9. When purchasing a ticket online, the bus ticket sales system for passenger transportation union-ivkoni.com automatically allocates seats on the bus according to the available seats, without the passenger having the option to choose. When purchasing two or more tickets at the same time, the automatic allocation implies the possibility that the seats will not be next to each other.

3.2.2.10. In connection with Decree No. 353/28.12.2023 of the Council of Ministers, tickets for passenger transportation of children under 14 years of age on intercity road transport in the country are issued upon presentation of the children's birth certificate and cannot be purchased online.

3.2.2.11. To purchase a ticket and conclude a transport contract, you must familiarize yourself with and agree to the General Terms and Conditions of Union Ivkoni, Group Plus and Unibus for travel within the country, the General Terms and Conditions of Union Ivkoni and Group Plus and Unibus for travel outside the country, as well as the Privacy Policy. After marking the consent buttons, press the 'Buy tickets' button.

3.2.2.12. After clicking the 'Buy Tickets' button, you will be redirected to a page of our servicing bank for secure entry of data from the card you are paying with. The operation is performed by the bank. Union Ivkoni LTD does not have access to your bank card data. Fill in your name, bank card number and its validity, as well as the CVC2 code indicated on the back of the card, according to the requirements of the bank issuing the bank card and the terms of payment with a bank card. The time for paying for the tickets and successfully completing the operation is 20 minutes. For problems with payment verification (3D security password, verification via token, etc.), you can contact your servicing bank.

3.2.2.13. After successful payment, you will receive your electronic tickets at the e-mail address you provided.

3.2.2.14. If payment is unsuccessful, the reservation will be automatically canceled within 15 minutes.

3.2.3. Online ticket purchase is automatically suspended 1 (one) hour before the bus departs from the respective stop.

3.2.4. Reservation of a seat on Union Ivkoni buses is made after 100% payment of the ticket price.

3.2.5. After purchasing your ticket from the online ticket sales system on the Carrier's website, you can make corrections to it by canceling it in accordance with the General Terms and Conditions via the 'Ticket Management' button.

3.2.6. You can use the discounts provided by the company, but upon receipt of the ticket and during the trip, you must present a document to the employees of Union Ivkoni LTD upon request, certifying the reason for the discount. Otherwise, you will be required to pay the difference in the ticket price (the amount of the discount) or alternatively, there is a possibility that you may be denied the transport service.

3.2.7. The ticket prices announced on the Carrier's website at www.union-ivkoni.com, for travel with Union Ivkoni LTD, are in euros and in Bulgarian leva. Union Ivkoni LTD reserves the right to change the prices announced on www.union-ivkoni.com. When the ticket price is changed, the price that was in effect at the time of purchase of the ticket by the Passenger is valid. When selling tickets online, no additional fees are charged on the price of bus tickets.

3.2.8. These general terms and conditions regulate the relationships between the customers of the online ticket sales system on the Carrier's website at www.union-ivkoni.com, respectively the owner of the system Union Ivkoni LTD and provide information on working with this system to each Customer, for the time of using the system, from the initial entry into it, purchasing a bus ticket, receiving an electronic ticket and until leaving the system.

3.2.9. The client is personally responsible for all his actions performed when using the online ticket sales system at www.union-ivkoni.com, including responsibility for unauthorized attempts to access through www.union-ivkoni.com to foreign directories, networks, computers and other devices.

3.2.10. Union Ivkoni LTD is not responsible for the information displayed or the consequences of using other websites to which www.union-ivkoni.com provides a link.

3.2.11. The client consents to Union Ivkoni LTD, including its employees depending on their duties, having access to the following information: email address, IP addresses, etc. information collected through the use of the online ticket sales system, but does not have the right to disclose/distribute this information, except where there is a legal basis and/or in the cases provided for in these General Terms and Conditions.

3.2.12. The information provided on the website www.union-ivkoni.com is the sole property of Union Ivkoni LTD and/or its partners, suppliers and users. The use of the content is subject to a written agreement with Union Ivkoni LTD.

3.2.13. Union Ivkoni LTD has the right to restrict access of some or all of its Clients to part of the services, or to all services on the website www.union-ivkoni.com (in case of unregulated access, force majeure circumstances, etc.).

3.2.14. Union Ivkoni LTD has the right to change the design and functionalities of the bus ticket sales website without prior notice.

3.2.15. Union Ivkoni Ltd. has the right to provide third parties with summarized reports from the data www.union-ivkoni.com, on legal grounds and/or for advertising purposes.

3.2.16. Union Ivkoni Ltd. is not responsible for the content of advertisements, as well as for the trademarks that appear on the website www.union-ivkoni.com. The advertisers are solely responsible for them.

3.2.17. The intellectual property rights on the online system for selling bus tickets for passenger transportation on the website at www.union-ivkoni.com, software products, documents and other materials belong to Union Ivkoni LTD. The client does not have the right, independently or through a third party, to change, improve, copy, reproduce, adapt, hide, disassemble, sublease, license the internet reservation system or any part of the content provided by www.union-ivkoni.com

3.3. Tickets purchased at the Carrier's physical offices and ticket offices are received at the place of purchase against payment of the transportation price.

3.4. It is the Passenger's responsibility to check the data specified in the ticket immediately upon receipt for compliance with the desired destination, date, time of travel, as well as the passenger's data, as well as to request and familiarize themselves with all information regarding these General Terms and Conditions, timetables, stops, departure and arrival times, destinations and in general all necessary information for the trip before purchasing a ticket. Providing incorrect or incomplete data by the passenger will make the ticket purchase invalid. In these cases, Union Ivkoni LTD is not responsible for the purchase of a bus ticket and the performance of the transportation.     

4. Ticket revalidations and cancellations

4.1. When revalidating a one-way ticket, the following rules apply and the following fees are due from the Passenger:

4.1.1. until the departure time from the respective stop – the Customer does not owe a penalty;

4.1.2. after departure from the respective stop, the ticket is considered used and no refunds will be made to the Customer.

4.2. Each passenger is entitled to one revalidation. A revalidated ticket cannot be cancelled if not used and no refunds will be given to the Customer.

4.3. When canceling a one-way ticket, the following rules apply and the following fees are due from the Passenger:

4.3.1. Up to 72 hours before departure from the respective stop, the Carrier refunds the Customer 100% of the ticket price;

4.3.2. From 72 hours to 24 hours before departure from the respective stop, the Carrier refunds the Customer 50% of the ticket price;

4.3.3. Less than 24 hours before departure from the respective stop, the Carrier does not refund the Customer the cost of the ticket.

4.4. In the event of revalidation, cancellations or travel refusal on a round-trip ticket, the following rules apply and the following fees are due from the Passenger:

4.4.1. Before the first direction of the ticket is used, the conditions for a one-way ticket apply.

4.5. A two-way ticket is considered as one whole. After the first direction has been used, a two-way ticket is only allowed to be re-validated, for which the conditions for re-validation of a one-way ticket are in force and the Passenger is liable for the fees for re-validation of a one-way ticket, calculated on the value of the ticket for the second direction, which value is not equal to half of the total value of the two-way ticket, but is determined according to the price of the purchased ticket on the date of travel.

4.6. In case of cancellation of the trip, the refund amount for a ticket paid by bank card will be refunded, in accordance with the conditions for cancellation of the trip and cancellation, to the bank account servicing the card with which the ticket was purchased, after presentation by the Client of the note (receipt) from the POS Terminal upon purchase of the ticket and the bank card with which the ticket was purchased for verification.

4.7. In case of cancellation of the trip, the refund amount for a ticket purchased through the online system will be refunded by bank transfer, in accordance with the conditions for cancellation of the trip and cancellation, within 10 (ten) business days from the date of cancellation of the ticket. The receipt of the amounts from the canceled tickets depends on the banking conditions of the bank issuing the card with which the canceled ticket was purchased by the Customer.

4.8. Cancellation of a service paid for at the box office is possible only during the working hours of the box office from which the ticket was purchased and only after its return in its original and complete form.

5. It is the obligation and responsibility of each Passenger to keep the ticket until the end of the journey and to present it for inspection, both to the Carrier's employees and to control authorities. The Carrier is not responsible for a lost, stolen, destroyed (in whole or in part) ticket. The value of such a ticket is not subject to refund.

6. Rules before, during and after the trip

6.1. Travel documents, general provisions  

6.1.1. Children under the age of 14 are not allowed to be transported without an adult companion and in compliance with the applicable regulations.

6.1.2. The carriage of passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility who travel on a regular bus route, when the point of embarkation or disembarkation is located on the territory of an EU member state, shall be subject to the conditions of carriage, the exceptions thereto and the deadlines for notifying the Carrier, in accordance with Regulation (EC) 181/2011 of 16.02.2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

6.1.3. The transportation of animals and pets on Union Ivkoni LTD buses is prohibited. Only guide dogs accompanying a disabled person, certified with the necessary documents, are allowed to be transported.

6.2. The passenger is obliged to appear at the bus departure point indicated in the ticket and/or on the carrier's website at www.union-ivkoni.com, no later than 30 minutes before the departure time.

6.3. Rules during boarding and travel

6.3.1. Passengers are allowed on board the buses only upon presentation of a valid travel ticket issued by the Carrier or its counterparty in the manner provided for in these general terms and conditions and the law, and the described documents. Passengers who have electronic tickets must provide them for verification on paper or in electronic form (on the screen of their mobile device - mobile phone, tablet). 

6.3.2. Passengers who are visibly intoxicated and/or under the visible influence of drugs or intoxicating substances, as well as persons whose behavior endangers the safety, life or health of other passengers/or the bus crew or significantly impairs their well-being, are not allowed to board the bus. The assessment of the passenger's condition is carried out by the bus driver, who is also responsible for the transport. Upon establishing the above, the driver may refuse to transport the passenger and board the vehicle, and the passenger is not entitled to a refund of the ticket price and/or to claims for replacement transport.

6.3.3. Passengers must follow the instructions of the driver or other Carrier personnel immediately before boarding the bus, during the trip and immediately after getting off the bus.

6.3.4. After checking and verifying the validity of the ticket, personal documents and those necessary for the trip, the Passengers hand over to the driver or other personnel of the Carrier their luggage intended for transportation in the luggage compartment of the bus, which is checked and the baggage receipt is attached, and in the presence of additional luggage, beyond the free one determined by the Carrier, the Passenger pays the fee for additional luggage according to these General Terms and Conditions (see luggage section).

6.3.5. After boarding the bus, the Passenger takes his seat, as indicated in the ticket or the instructions of the driver or other personnel of the Carrier. After taking his seat, the Passenger is obliged to look around, orient himself and inform himself about the emergency exits from the vehicle in case of an accident (the two doors for getting off and on, all windows of the bus, the two hatches on the roof of the vehicle). During the trip, the Passenger is not entitled to change his seat without explicit permission or instruction from the driver or other personnel of the Carrier. The Passenger is obliged to comply with and comply with the Safe Travel Instructions published on the official website of Union Ivkoni LTD, at www.union-ivkoni.com.

6.3.6. The Carrier has the right to change the seat numbers of the Passengers on the respective bus, without prior notice, due to circumstances beyond its control.

6.3.7. All passengers are required to use seat belts on buses during travel, within the framework of regulatory provisions. Each passenger is personally responsible for fastening the seat belt.

6.3.8. During movement, passengers do not have the right to talk to the bus driver and distract him, except in cases requiring the driver's intervention for the purpose of safety, protecting the life and health of other passengers and/or the Carrier's personnel.

6.3.9. During movement, getting up from the seat and moving along the aisle between the seats is undesirable, in view of the safety of the Passengers, in view of the possibility of an unforeseen circumstance occurring during movement, which could lead to endangerment and/or damage to the health and life of the Passengers.

6.3.10. Passengers are prohibited from blocking or obstructing the aisle between seats with hand luggage or in any other way.

6.3.11. Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is absolutely prohibited on Union Ivkoni LTD buses.

6.3.12. It is absolutely prohibited to bring and consume food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages into the passenger cabin of Union Ivkoni LTD buses.

6.3.13. Passengers who cause pollution on the bus, intentionally or negligently, are obliged to pay the Carrier a cleaning fee of no less than EUR 25.56 or BGN 50.00. The fee is due and payable by the passenger at the time the pollution is detected by the driver or other personnel of the Carrier. The fee is not due by the Passenger in case the Passenger presents irrefutable evidence that he did not cause the pollution.

6.3.14. Passengers are financially liable for any damage caused to the bus they are travelling in, regardless of whether it is a culpable or negligent act. Passengers who cause any damage or injury to the bus they are travelling in shall pay a repair fee at the time the damage is discovered, in the amount of the cost of the repair (spare parts and labor), but not less than EUR 51.13 or BGN 100.00.

6.3.15. The Carrier, through the driver, has the right to cancel the Passenger's transport contract, without prior notice and with immediate effect, in the event that the Passenger, despite a verbal warning from the bus driver or other Carrier personnel on the bus, in the following cases: The Passenger behaves in a manner that is beyond the limits of normal behavior and is so disturbing that it is no longer reasonable for the Carrier or the other passengers to continue the journey; The Passenger consumes high-grade alcohol, drugs, smokes on the bus and does not cease these actions; The Passenger refuses to pay a cleaning fee and/or a repair fee; The Passenger, by action or inaction, endangers the safety, health, life of himself and/or other passengers and/or the Carrier's personnel; The Passenger does not comply with the objectively justified instructions of the driver or other Carrier personnel on the bus, such as safety instructions and/or others. In such cases, the driver must, in advance, notify the relevant competent traffic control officer and/or the Carrier's Customer Service Center, and if possible, if he deems it necessary, reasonable and applicable, the relevant authorities in the relevant country, from which he may request assistance. A passenger for whom the above-listed hypotheses are present and apply is taken off the bus at the first possible safe place (e.g. parking lot, gas station, etc.) along the route. Such a passenger is not entitled to a refund of the ticket price and/or to claims for replacement transport.

6.3.16. During breaks/stops or police checks, Passengers must get off the bus when prompted by the driver or the Carrier's service staff. When stopping for a break, the passenger is obliged to comply with the break time announced by the driver or the service staff. The driver has the right to continue the journey if, within 5 minutes after the end of the announced break time, there is still a Passenger who has not returned to the bus and is not responsible for the absence of a passenger after the end of the break time. In such cases, the Carrier is not responsible for refunding the ticket or providing replacement transport.

6.3.17. In the event of an emergency situation, Passengers are obliged to strictly follow the instructions of the driver or staff on the bus, in order to preserve their life and health. In such a situation, Passengers receive information from the driver or staff until the relevant employees of the Carrier from the Customer Service Center are notified, who take over all communication with passengers after that moment, including compliance with passenger rights in such situations under Regulation (EC) 181/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16.02.2011.

6.3.18. Upon arrival at the final stop of the respective Passenger's journey (this may not be the final stop of the line, but an intermediate one), the Passenger may only get up from his/her seat after the bus has come to a partial stop. The Passenger is not allowed to walk towards the exit while the vehicle is still in motion, for his/her personal safety. Before getting off, the Passenger must have prepared his/her hand luggage and belongings in advance and be prepared to get off, without making other passengers wait while he/she organizes himself/herself to get off. Passengers must pay due attention when getting off the vehicle, not create conditions for bumping into other passengers and use the aids - handles and handrails when getting off.

6.4. The previously announced information on travel times and arrival times is approximate, taking into account traffic conditions, traffic jams, delays in processing passengers at border crossings, bad weather conditions, transport accidents, technical breakdowns and other factors that are not under the control of the Carrier. The arrival time may be changed by the Carrier in case of delay due to circumstances and reasons beyond the Carrier's control (force majeure circumstances).

6.5. In the event of a trip not being carried out due to the fault of the Carrier, 100% of the ticket price for the uncarried section will be refunded, as well as compensation for the direct costs of the passenger's travel to the bus departure point, provided that documents confirming the costs are available.

6.6. Luggage rules

6.6.1. The passenger is entitled to the following types of luggage, included in the ticket price, without additional payment:
- Hand luggage up to 5 kg with dimensions in centimeters 30x40x20 cm or a total sum of dimensions 90 cm.
- Checked luggage intended for transportation in the luggage compartment of the bus up to 30 kg with total dimensions (sum of dimensions) up to 180 cm or 80x60x40 cm.

6.6.2. For each subsequent luggage unit not exceeding the specified parameters, the Client pays an Additional Luggage Fee in the amount of EUR 2.56 or 5.00 BGN. The Client pays the fee at the Carrier's Cashier.

6.7. For each checked baggage, the Passenger receives a luggage receipt, in accordance with the provisions of Art. 39 of the Road Transport Act. It is not allowed to transport baggage without issuing a luggage receipt or to accept and transport baggage that does not belong to a passenger, in accordance with Art. 37, paragraph 4 of the Road Transport Act.

6.8. The carrier is responsible for checked baggage in the luggage compartment of the bus from the moment of its acceptance by the passenger until the issuance of a luggage receipt until the moment of its return to the passenger against presentation of the baggage receipt. The carrier is responsible for the baggage located on the vehicle, unless the damage or lack is due to the nature or defects of the baggage itself, or despite the measures taken, the damage could not be prevented (force majeure). The carrier stores unclaimed baggage with the care of a good merchant and is responsible for its storage for a period of 3 months. With regard to compensation for damaged, destroyed, lost baggage, while it was the responsibility of the carrier, the provisions for determining compensation under the Road Transport Act, Regulation (EC) 181/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16.02.2011 and the applicable civil legislation in the Republic of Bulgaria apply.

6.9. The carrier is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged luggage before it is accepted by the driver on the bus (checked in) and after the luggage is handed over upon arrival at the respective stop.

6.10. The Carrier is not responsible for the Passenger's hand luggage, the protection and storage of which is the exclusive care and obligation of the Passenger.

6.11. It is prohibited to place and carry in the luggage of passengers transported in the luggage compartments of buses cash (regardless of currency and amount), securities, documents, credit and debit cards, traveler's checks, securities, items of numismatic and artistic value, jewelry and other articles made of precious metals, precious and semi-precious stones, mobile devices, smart devices and tablets, any video and audio equipment, computer configurations and laptops, chargers, optical devices and parts for the same. In the event of complete or partial absence and/or damage to luggage containing the above-listed valuables, items or similar to them, despite the prohibition on their transportation, Union Ivkoni LTD is not responsible for them and will not restore their value or pay compensation for them.

6.12. It is prohibited to place and carry in the luggage of passengers (regardless of whether it is hand luggage or carried in the luggage compartment of the bus) as well as with the passengers themselves firearms and ammunition, explosives and incendiary substances, smoke bombs and cartridges, dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives, mines, grenades and other containers and devices loaded with explosives, detonator capsules, detonators and fuses, flammable and/or poisonous chemical substances, fireworks and other pyrotechnic agents, narcotic, intoxicating, psychotropic and poisonous substances and/or their analogues, as well as precursors or equipment and materials for the production of narcotic substances, objects and substances which, due to their nature or packaging, pose a danger to the life and health of passengers on the bus, movable cultural monuments for which no permit, certificate or other document certifying the right to their storage, use and transport has been issued, religious materials of banned or unregistered sects and organizations, excise goods with unpaid excise duty, excisable goods /such as cigarettes and alcohol/ with excise duty paid, but above the quantitative limits set by law for personal use, all types of ATM skimming devices prohibited by the Law, any other goods, substances, objects, etc. prohibited by the Law.

7. Others

7.1. Each Passenger who has purchased a ticket is insured during the trip with mandatory insurance 'Passenger Accidents in Public Transport', which covers the risks of permanent reduced working capacity and death. If the Passenger wishes for a greater amount of insurance compensation and coverage of other insurance risks, the Passenger may personally conclude a separate insurance contract of his choice.

7.2. The carrier guarantees the functional condition of the facilities on the bus, relating to increasing travel comfort, and their absence or malfunction cannot be the subject of complaints.

7.3. Claims related to the trip are valid only in writing, submitted within 1 month from the date of travel, together with a copy of the ticket and baggage claim receipt. Without providing the above-mentioned documents, claims will not be considered. The provisions of the Road Transport Act, Regulation (EC) 181/2011 of the European Parliament of 16.02.2011 are applicable to claims.

7.4. You can report irregularities during travel to e-mail office@union-ivkoni.com

7.5. Wearing protective masks in public passenger transport vehicles is recommended, in view of the regulations of the health authorities regarding the epidemiological situation due to the spread of COVID-19.

7.6. Due to the epidemiological situation resulting from the spread of COVID-19, the use of the toilet on the bus has been temporarily suspended and is prohibited.                        

7.7. These General Terms and Conditions, to the extent applicable, also apply when performing Occasional Passenger Transportation, and in the event of application of different travel conditions, they shall be agreed upon in the specific contract for occasional passenger transportation concluded with the respective Client.

7.8. For all other cases that are not explicitly described in these general terms and conditions, the provisions of the Road Transport Act, Ordinance No. 33 of 03.11.1999 on public transport of passengers and goods on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ordinance No. 2 of 15.03.2002 on the conditions and procedure for approving transport schemes and for implementing public transport of passengers by buses, Regulation (EC) 181/2011 of the European Parliament of 16.02.2011 and the applicable provisions of the current legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria shall apply.