Five working groups have two weeks to prepare solutions to key issues related to the provision of rail passenger services by state-owned and private operators from December 13, 2026, Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Peev has said here Friday as quoted by his Ministry. Peev and Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Tsveta Timeva met with representatives of Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ), the National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC), private operator Ivkoni Express and the Executive Agency Railway Administration to review preparations for the change.
The five teams will address rolling stock, staff transfers, depots and maintenance, train timetables, and ticket sales.
Ivkoni Express is due to begin operating passenger rail services on December 13, 2026, ending the monopoly of state-owned operator BDZ on passenger rail transport in Bulgaria. Under 12-year contracts signed in early 2026, BDZ Passenger Services was awarded the western region, which accounts for about 75% of the country’s passenger rail services. Ivkoni Express was selected to serve the northern and southern regions, accounting for 14% and 11%, respectively, giving the private operator responsibility for 25% of passenger rail services nationwide.
The Ministry said the aim was to assess the current state of preparations, identify processes that needed to be accelerated and ensure that the commitments made were fulfilled in the public interest.
“The Ministry of Transport and Communications will provide full support within its legal powers. We need to see how far we have progressed, what remains to be done, which processes need to be accelerated and how the administrative procedures are advancing. I hope we can achieve a positive final outcome,” the minister said.
One of the main issues discussed was securing rolling stock. Peev said that, in addition to the trains BDZ is required to provide under the contract, Ivkoni Express must secure its own rolling stock.
“I will not allow BDZ to be left unable to provide its share of rail services,” he said.
The meeting also addressed the transfer of employees to the private operator. Peev called for clear guarantees safeguarding the social rights of staff moving to Ivkoni Express.
“Employees must have guarantees for the entire 12-year period, including a full social benefits package and conditions comparable to those offered by BDZ,” he said.
The ministry said it would help resolve outstanding issues and expedite the necessary administrative procedures within its remit, with the aim of ensuring that the services covered by the contract were provided in full and in compliance with the law.
Five Working Groups Have Two Weeks to Prepare for Private Operator’s Entry into Bulgaria’s Rail Passenger Market THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-16 18:57:00
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