We are going to buy on-board devices for safe control of 89 trains, 64 of which are for BDZ. The introduction of ERTMS on trains is an important step to ensure that rail transport is safer. This was announced by the Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov at the opening of an international Bulgarian-Turkish business forum in the railway sector, which gathered today in Sofia more than 50 railway companies from Bulgaria and Turkey.
Minister Gvozdeykov added that for the first time in BDZ trains will be installed ERTMS equipment of the latest generation, which is a novelty for Europe. NRIC is to announce a public procurement with an estimated value of about 105 million leva. The funds are provided by the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan, the minister explained.
Georgi Gvozdeykov reiterated the importance of improving rail connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkey. He recalled that the Bulgarian-Turkish border is the busiest in the entire European Union and this leads to delays in supply chains and additional costs for businesses. "That is why we are actively working for the construction of a second railway crossing between the two countries, which will take part of the traffic along this route," the Transport Minister said. Currently a pre-investment study is being carried out for the new border railway crossing Yambol - Elhovo - Lesovo, so this project is already underway.
Minister Gvozdeykov outlined as a key priority for BDZ in the next few years the renewal of the rolling stock, which is extremely outdated and inefficient. "Over the next two years, BDZ-Passenger Transport is planning to deliver 10 new locomotives, 50 new passenger cars, as well as the modernization of over 140 cars," explained Gvozdeykov. The Minister called on all companies that produce railway rolling stock to participate in the tenders, because only in this way will competitive selection be guaranteed.
