Modernization of Bulgarian Railways: Plan and Details

We have a well-developed plan for the modernization of Bulgarian railways - both in terms of infrastructure and rolling stock. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov, answering a question within the framework of the blitz control in the parliament.

Over the next four years, it is planned to complete all already started sections under the European program. The focus falls on the sections connecting Sofia and Burgas. The Minister noted that in about six to seven months, delays in the Sofia-Pernik and Pernik-Radomir sections had been caught up. By the end of the year, the technical design of the Radomir-Gueshevo section is expected to be ready. In parallel with this, the tender for the last 2.4 kilometers from Gueshevo to the border with the Republic of North Macedonia has been announced, the Deputy Prime Minister added.

He also emphasized the plans for the construction of at least two tunnel crossings under the Stara Planina mountain, which will be realized through concessions.

In his comment, Grozdan Karadjov stressed that the lines of the National Company "Railway Infrastructure" have long suffered from a lack of funding for rehabilitation. He expressed hope that funds will be allocated in the budget frameworks for recovery, which includes returning to project speeds and increasing the safety of certain sections in unsatisfactory technical condition. Over the last five years, he said, no funding has been allocated for this purpose. It is planned, if the plan is adopted, to rehabilitate about 150 kilometers of mainly main lines, which will significantly increase the feeling of security when traveling, he emphasized.

Regarding the rolling stock, Minister Karadjov pointed out that a total of 60 motor trains have been purchased. The first of them will start arriving from April next year - very soon, and the last ones are expected in December 2027. However, this will solve only 50 percent of the problem with the rolling stock. The other half, due to lack of funds, can be solved by purchasing or renting second-hand wagons, he noted.

Karadjov explained that on the only wagons that can be purchased, of which 76 have already been acquired, the air conditioners do not work and they are at different voltages. Negotiations are currently underway and work is actively being done on the issue of the possibility of producing elements from the air conditioning system for all wagons, the Deputy Prime Minister announced. If the experiment, which is currently underway, is successful and the air conditioners stop malfunctioning, another 80 wagons will be purchased, for which there are funds, which will lead to the renovation of the entire rolling stock, he added.