Transport Minister Dismisses Fears that Lucrative Train Services Will Go to Private Operators

Ivan Lazarov, Diana Dukovska

Transport and Communications Minister Krasimira Stoyanova at a discussion on rail transport, December 2, 2024 (BTA Photo/Nikola Uzunov)

Sofia,

02.12.2024 13:25

(BTA)

Transport Minister Krasimira Stoyanova Monday dismissed fears that lucrative train services will go to private operators as the government is about to liberalize the passenger rail market. "Claims that lucrative rail services are intended for private operators are not true. Rail transport can be improved by opening up the market as the best operators will provide the best service," she said at a discussion on an upcoming public procurement procedure.

The government is planning to divide the passenger rail network into three lots: Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas; Sofia, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Varna; and all the rest. Eight-year contracts will be awarded for each lot, effective 2026.

There are no lots or services designated for particular operators; the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) can tender for any of them, said Stoyanova. She added that there would be no job losses, the idea being solely to improve service quality.

"One of my first meetings as caretaker minister was about rail transport. It is the transport the country needs the most. The aim is to make it convenient, safe and economical for the state. If we are to have good transport services, we must combine these elements," Stoyanova told the participants.

Competition between bus and rail must continue because it gives people choice, the Transport Minister said.

On Monday, trade union representatives told Stoyanova they would not provide political support for dividing the rail network into lots. "I do not have political support but I hope we will get public support," she said.

The discussion was attended by representatives of trade unions, academia, experts, journalists and former transport ministers Nikolay Vassilev and Petar Mutafchiev.

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