Bulgaria Borrows from the Czech Republic for the Liberalization of Railway Services: Experience and Key Indicators

Bulgaria can benefit from the successful Czech experience in the liberalization of railway services, said Deputy Prime Minister Grozdan Karadjov after a meeting with Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka in Prague. The focus of the talks was on the development of the railway sector, modernization and future reforms.

Karadjov noted that Bulgaria is expecting the new 25 trains and stressed the need for preparation for competition after liberalization. It is planned to develop effective mechanisms for quality control of railway services, including indicators for efficiency and passenger comfort.

The Czech model provides for regional railway services to be assigned and controlled by the regional authorities, and the Ministry of Transport is responsible for long-distance trains. Key quality indicators are reducing delays and ensuring good connections between different types of transport.

Karadjov presented the Bulgarian model for a unified ticketing system and pointed out the problems associated with the lack of public transport in over 700 settlements. The Czech Republic has a unified ticketing system for railway operators but is facing challenges with bus transport.

During his visit to the Czech Republic, Karadjov also met with representatives of private railway companies operating in the Czech Republic. The first new Skoda train is expected in Bulgaria in January 2026.