Balgarianovinite.com The first two Alstom electric trains, delivered to Bulgaria under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), are expected to enter service in early September, Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Peev reported during the presentation of Alstom’s first electric railcar at Sofia Central Railway Station. The Minister said that the remaining trains from the total of 12 provided for under the RRP have also been delivered, and certification procedures are underway. Peev noted that, under the contract with Alstom, a further 23 trains are due to be delivered. Provided funding is secured, there is the possibility of purchasing additional trains under the same contract.
The first two trains are expected to be put into service on the Pernik–Sofia–Plovdiv–Svilengrad route, as there are more sections along this route that allow speeds of up to 160 km/h. The Minister stated that he insists the new trains should also be used on longer routes. Around 40 train drivers have already been trained to operate the new vehicles.
Peev reported that his Ministry is working with the Ministry of the Interior to better protect the new trains from acts of vandalism. A working group has been set up to develop coordination procedures and identify critical sections based on an analysis of previous incidents.
Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov congratulated the contractor and the Ministry of Transport on the completion of the investment, which, he said, had still been at risk as recently as May this year. “This investment provides us with high-quality, convenient and comfortable transport for the citizens of Bulgaria,” said Pekanov. He reported that improving Bulgaria’s connectivity will be one of the key priorities in the coming years. In his view, rail transport is more environmentally friendly and, in some cases, faster.
Pekanov said that, under the Social Climate Plan, Bulgaria expects to receive between EUR 2 and 3 billion, part of which will be channelled towards transport, energy efficiency and regional investment. He added that funding for the next programming period, which begins in 2028 and runs until 2034, must be planned in the coming months, including funds for rail infrastructure and rolling stock.
The event was also attended by Andrew DeLeone, Alstom’s President for Europe, who outlined the key features of the new train and emphasized the importance of the investment for the development of rail transport in Bulgaria. He said that the train is a six-carriage unit with a capacity of 325 passengers, fully air-conditioned and designed to operate at temperatures of up to 40C. Each passenger has the option to charge a mobile device. There are four toilets and space for bicycles.
DeLeone said that the aim is for the new trains to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and use safer, more efficient and more comfortable rail transport. He added that Alstom plans to complete the delivery of all 35 trains under the original contract by mid-2027.
The trains will be maintained in Bulgaria. The company has built a new depot on the outskirts of Sofia, which will serve as the main base for their maintenance, and around 50 Bulgarian engineers and technicians will be trained and gain experience in this field.
DeLeone stated that Bulgaria has enormous potential for the development of the rail sector due to the country’s geographical location and its role as a link between Europe and Turkiye. He suggested that, following the development of aviation, rail transport could well be the next major transformation in the country’s transport sector, including opportunities for the development of manufacturing.
Regarding the possible purchase of more trains, he said that it is too early to discuss specific decisions, as they will depend on future negotiations, opportunities and terms between Alstom and the Bulgarian government.
First Two Alstom Electric Trains to Enter Service in Early September 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-08-25 14:55:32
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БЪЛГАРИЯ НОВИНИТЕ – ИНФОРМАЦИОННА АГЕНЦИЯ 2009-2026 2026-08-25 14:55:32