I hope I don't intrude too much, being a complete stranger, but a friend of mine forwarded this blog post, I feel tempted to write a few words.

The core of the problem lies with the fact that city planning is out of synch with city growth. In order words, the city is growing much faster than authorities can handle it, mostly because of poor (if any) planning. Thus, even when you have a relatively minor car accident at a major crossroads, it may be enough to create substantial traffic problems for at least a couple of hours. In your particular case, it was the ongoing repairs of the major boulevard in the neighbourhood. The saddest thing is that no one can really do something about it, as there is virtually no other way to go around. This usually makes public transport terribly late, respectively leading to jammed cars, and to a lot of "intimate" acquaintances :)

If you care to take some tips from a seasoned traveller with Sofia's public transport, I advise that you prioritise the means of public transport in the following order:

1. Metro (for quite obvious reasons)
2. Tramway (most of the way, cars move into separate lanes, which makes them the most reliable ground transport, schedule-wise)
3. Those mini vans that travel on a fixed route (the so-called "marshrutka", though there is a big catch)
4. Bus
5. Trolley (the fact they move along power lines gives them relatively low maneuverability)

Also, if the distance is short enough to take you no more than 15-20 mins walk, then always walk (unless the weather is too nasty). In most cases, having a walk, even if you get late, saves you a lot of nerve.

The catch with the numbered mini vans is that they are not for the weak-hearted :) Basically, if I may perephrase a relatively recent pirate blockbuster, traffic regulations for these guys are more like guidelines, rather than actual rules. The upside is that you usually get to where you are going much faster (and it is cheaper than a taxi). However, these vans can get overcrowded in rush hours (although there is formally a regulation, limiting the number of passengers), which makes their advantage quite dubious.

All in all, if you can limit yourself to using only metro and tramways, you will find that public transport is not THAT bad. Of course, it can (and should) be much better, but progress is usually very slow, unfortunately. In fact, when the weather is nice, consider going to work by bicycle, though once again, it does require a certain degree of composure. Of course, if you happen to be in need to be somewhere far enough fast, then I think the best solution is hailing a cab, though I second the advice that giving taxi drivers too much leeway is not really a good thing.

Regarding weird people on the bus - well, I guess the only thing you can do is be firm and tell him to fuck off. I realise this is easier said than done, but most of these guys quickly back off, if intimidated.

So I hope this will be helpful, and I apologise again if I intrude too much.

Take care,
Zhivko