site.btaTransport Ministry: BDZ Will Receive 25 Skoda Electric Multiple-Unit Trains by End of 2026

Caretaker Transport Minister Krasimira Stoyanova and the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer of Skoda Transportation and Skoda Vagonka, Petr Novotny, Thursday signed a supplementary agreement for the delivery of five more new electric multiple-unit trains for the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ). The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Transport and Communications in the presence of Czech Ambassador to Bulgaria Miroslav Toman.

The agreement is in addition to the contract signed in September 2024 for the supply of 20 electric multiple unit trains.

Stoyanova thanked for the extremely quick reaction in seizing the opportunity provided by the contract with the Czech consortium for the procurement and delivery of new trains. "We all know what a great need the Bulgarian railway has for new rolling stock and the difficulties we face in its procurement," the Transport Minister said. She also pointed out that for the first time the European Commission accepted the financing of railway rolling stock to be provided by the Transport Connectivity Programme 2021-2027.

"Our proposal is that the new unit trains serve passengers on the busy routes in Northern Bulgaria: Ruse - Varna, Varna - Gorna Oryahovitsa - Mezdra, as well as in shorter distances such as Sofia-Dragoman", Stoyanova said. In her words, Bulgaria will witness the renewal of the railway stock in 2026.

Czech Ambassador to Bulgaria Miroslav Toman noted that Czechia will provide trains of the best quality at its disposal. "I believe that this deal will allow for new modern unit trains, because it is badly needed," he added.

According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer of Skoda Transportation and Skoda Vagonka, Petr Novotny, the additional train delivery is not only a source of pride, but also an obligation, given the high standards maintained by the Czech company. "I am delighted that funding opportunities have been found for this contract and thank everyone who has made this agreement a reality," Novotny added.

The value of the new five electric multiple-unit trains is BGN 127.8 million, VAT excluded. The contract also includes maintenance for 15 years and staff training. The new additional five electric multiple-unit trains will meet the same characteristics as the 20 under the main contract. They are designed to reach speeds of up to 160 km/h and have a minimum of 300 seats. The delivery period is two years, and the funding is implemented under Priority 3 of the Transport Connectivity Programme 2021-2027.