The first electric train "Desiro was presented today on the Central Railway Station in Sofia in the presence of the Minister of Transport Peter Mutafchiev. Later the train departed for the railway station Septemvri on his first demonstration tour with representatives of the media, the Ministry of Transport, and the railway companies. The electrical train "Desiro" is a modern carriage, delivered by "Siemens" for the needs of the "BDZ" EAD. It is equipped with an air-conditioning and electronic information system to serve the passengers. The train offers also possibility for the passengers with disabilities to travel and has collapsible platforms to facilitate the access to the train for these passengers. The "Desiro" Train can gather speed up to 140km/h on railway sectors, where the infrastructure allows this. It also has equipment which is able to economize a considerable amount of electric power. The electric train has three carriages with 190 second-class seats. The carriages are intended only for non-smokers. According to the contract between "BDZ" EAD and Siemens, till the end of the year 2008, 25 electric trains will be delivered. Two of them are already in Bulgaria. The railway carrier will invest 117 350 000 Euro for the purchase of the trains. For additional information: Krasimir Mutafchiev, Press Centre, Ministry of Transport Phone: 940 9525 E-Mail: kmutafchiev@mt.government.bg |