Bulgaria pre-research tips

[Vabis22]

https://bnr.bg/en/post/102169997/struma ... esna-gorge

[jackalnxt]

Hey guys, now that coaches are on the way, here is all the info I got on the missing bus stations in Bulgaria, all of whom I've personally used .

Varna:

In recent years Varna built a new modern bus station: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Varna ... FQAw%3D%3D

The station itself is completely open and function, but there is construction happening right next to it. That used to be part of the old station and featured various shops; and the new building will likely feature the same.

Due to scale, the construction site is best skipped over, however, the 'arrow monument' has remained intact and will remain it it's place, so it should be considered (image is from 2021 to give a better view of it): https://www.google.com/maps/place/Varna ... FQAw%3D%3D

The way to enter the bus station is from the east. Buses would ride along the Wladislav Warnenchik (WW) boulevard, take the big roundabout, then enter from the left. That is the only point of entry. The right/west side is ONLY used for exiting:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/43.2218 ... FQAw%3D%3D

The starting point I have chosen on that map route is already mapped out in the game. It's where the Varna Towers photo trophy is located. It might need a slight facelift since buses drive right next to it:
[ external image ]

Opposite the Towers is an enclosed living area which is shown in-game as still under construction. The assets used are generic square buildings, but it would be more accurate to have something more 'curvy' to better represent the real thing. It could also be used as a resort stop:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2212044 ... FQAw%3D%3D

The only other building of note along the way is the Varna mall. After it there is a park, and straight to bus station:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2194463 ... FQAw%3D%3D

There is also a second, GRANDER mall just north of the bus station:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2165994 ... FQAw%3D%3D

Everything south of the station should fit into the map, however, the northern side will definitely require cut plates:
[ external image ]

And since more inter city routes are an option, it might be a good idea to connect the WW boulevard to the A5 (road to Burgas); IRL representing this route: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/43.2217 ... FQAw%3D%3D

The key connection junction has three distinct features: the cathedral and the big building opposite it: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2048201 ... FQAw%3D%3D
And the Varna sign which leads to the main walking area of the city: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2048201 ... FQAw%3D%3D

Important note, if the connection is done, then the 'Wall of Heroes landmark' should be updated (murals painted on the way to the bridge to Burgas). Right now, it ends at Vasil Levski (left), while the remaining are just mirrored version of the three that are left of Levski (off the image), for accuracy these three should be included: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2033002 ... FQAw%3D%3D

PS, apologies for lack of in-game screenshots, I may or may not be writing this while at work.

[jackalnxt]

Veliko Tarnovo:

So, you know how Veliko Tarnovo has that big spaghetti highway of its? Well, their bus station is right next to it:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0754355 ... FQAw%3D%3D

There is just one problem in that the road that connects to it is not in the game. In fact, the in-game roads have no connection to the city whatsoever (the bus station is supposed to be to the West):
[ external image ]

Assuming that can be fixed, the bus station itself is pretty standart, but it does have this unique artwork, representing its past as an imperial capital; and also the Автогара Юг sign which means Bus Station South:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0761888 ... FQAw%3D%3D

But that's not the only bus station in Veliko Tarnovo. There is a smaller one way further to the west. So small, you won't even find it on Google Maps unless you know it's there:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/43.0763 ... FQAw%3D%3D

The good news is that the road connections are there in-game, but the station itslef is... sad:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0724106 ... FQAw%3D%3D

So, yeah, Bus station South is the way to go.

Pleven:

The Pleven station is... already in the game. That was easy.

The in-game one is a generic one, but it can easily be improved: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4202423 ... FQAw%3D%3D

In regards to sights within the city, there are two that come to mind, and both are placed to the south, giving them plenty of room. (see that prefab that doesn't have an industry assigned? That's the bus station):
[ external image ]

One is the regional history museum that can be reached like this:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Regiona ... FQAw%3D%3D

The museum has sweet classical architecture, and a scenic park opposite it, making for a decent view:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4046992 ... FQAw%3D%3D

The other sight is the Panorama, which is the symbol of Pleven, and it is reached on a similar route:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/43.3992 ... FQAw%3D%3D

The Panorama is much more unique and visually pleasing. Imagine driving your bus up to this:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3997732 ... FQAw%3D%3D
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3992163 ... FQAw%3D%3D

[Vabis22]

https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/9135 ... -discuss-d

[jackalnxt]

Ruse:

Now, here is a station that I am VERY familiar with.

As it happens, the bus station is right next to the Ruse train station which is not only in the game but is a Photo Trophy as well:
[ external image ]

The bus station is located to the left of the station. There are currently 3 buildings mapped out in that direction. They represent (from right to left):
Separate building that is currently used as mini-market (in 2024 Maps it is furniture store): https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8346209 ... FQAw%3D%3D
The hotel restaurant and the adjacent hotel: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8348121 ... FQAw%3D%3D

IRL there is one more building that is cut for scale. The in-game map then shows the continuation of the main road (continuing left), but not the road that leads to the bus station (right): https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8352866 ... FQAw%3D%3D

There is one main bus building that is located on the other side of the missing building, but it can easily be moved behind the hotel instead (it's just a second-hand store and breakfast shop IRL in that location): https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ruse+ ... FQAw%3D%3D

The biggest detail that would be needed in the current map is the stairs leading up to it. They are on both sides of the first building we mentioned:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8346209 ... FQAw%3D%3D
(There are stairs between the columns I swear ) https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8342533 ... FQAw%3D%3D

I actually think there is room for it to fit without cut-plates, but they will definitely be needed for the Borisova and Tsar Osvoboditel boulevards, both of whom are already mapped but will need more detail if the bus station is added.

[jackalnxt]

Burgas:

Burgas has two major bus stations, both of whom I've often used, and both are plausible.

Bus station West is reached by continuing straight from the Sofia road, whereas Bus Station South is reached by continuing straight from the Varna road.
[ external image ]

South is the more popular, as it is used for buses that go all around the southern Beach resorts, as well as major destinations like Sofia and Varna. And West is used for connection to other less important cities (like mine ) but also has some international routes.

The problem with Station West is that, in-game, there is a garage right where it would normally be placed: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bus+and ... FQAw%3D%3D
There are some decent landmarks along the way, like the Burgas sports arena (slightly represented in game): https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5240391 ... FQAw%3D%3D
The main highlight is the roundabouts that have these pedestrian walkways above that offer an amazing view: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5054014 ... FQAw%3D%3D

Station South has the advantage that there is much more room for it, and the terrain is really favorable to work on.
First of all, the station itself is slick and modern, it is next to the fancy train station, and a small park: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.490681, ... FQAw%3D%3D
It even has a decorative boat: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bus+S ... FQAw%3D%3D

To reach it, one travels from that roundabout in the Varna direction we mentioned: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/42.5315 ... FQAw%3D%3D
The forest area is already mapped out, and it will be easy to transition it to the Sea Garden, which is where all buses drive past anyway. A good area to represent the Sea Garden is this entry path which leads to a pedestrian street within the city: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4944043 ... FQAw%3D%3D (you can't tell from the image, but the sea IS visible from here)
And all that is needed to transition from the Sea Garden to the city would be an iconic building like this one: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4907241 ... FQAw%3D%3D

Burgas Station South could be an amazingly scenic place, especially given the path it drives by. And it can smoothly be connected to the Edirne road to make a tight road network.

Also, please add seagull to Burgas for more realism.

[Vabis22]

https://m.novinite.com/articles/234037/ ... -September