site.btaTransport Minister Briefs Parliamentary Committee on German Wagons Purchase

Bulgarian Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Gvozdeykov on Thursday briefed the parliamentary Transport and Communications Committee on the negotiations for the purchase of wagons from German's national railway company.

Gvozdeykov's Ministry announced on January 24 that the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) and Deutsche Bahn were in the final phase of negotiations on the purchase of up to 70 wagons from the rolling stock of the German railways.

The Minister told the Committee on Thursday that a BDZ team, together with a deputy minister, are now in Germany where they are already selecting the rolling stock itself and are sorting out matters concerning compatibility with Bulgaria's infrastructure. Gvozdeykov assured the MPs that is getting rather positive information by the hour and the transaction is nearing completion, complying with all procedures under the Public Procurement Act.  

"The wagons are in a perfect technical condition, far more modern than what we have now, and I think that Bulgarian citizens will be able to enjoy the desired comfortable rides on this rolling stock," Gvozdeykov said. In his words, this is a temporary measure that should pave the way for the next stage - acquisition of an entirely new rolling stock under the procedures conducted by his Ministry.