A fast train, No. 3625 bound for Burgas, left Sofia today, 27 September, at 4:45 pm with a new Alstom train set.
Two more new electric Alstom Coradia Stream trains have been running since 26 September on the Sofia-Vidin and Sofia-Burgas routes and back. Along with the ones already in service, that brings the total number of new trains running to four. They are named Danube, Maritsa, Iskar and Struma.
On the way back from Burgas to Sofia, train No. 3620 leaves at 5:25 am on 27 September. On the Vidin line, a new train set runs as train No. 7624, leaving Sofia Central Station at 5:15 pm, with the return journey as train No. 7621 from Vidin at 4:50 am on 28 September.
The trains were bought under a contract between the transport ministry and the BULEMU consortium, paid for through the recovery and resilience plan. The project covers 35 single-deck electric trains with zero emissions, plus 15 years of maintenance.
Each train has 6 carriages and 325 seats in first and second class. Inside, there's air conditioning, information screens, an audio system, power sockets and USB ports, cameras and security systems, and a system that counts passengers automatically. Wi-fi will be available "where possible".
The low-floor design makes it easier to get on board, including for people with reduced mobility. There's also space for bikes, prams and luggage.
All the trains in the project are named after rivers, waterfalls and springs in Bulgaria. QR codes on board link to a series giving information about each natural landmark.