Urgent measures to stabilize BDZ begin. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Krasimir Papukchiyski at a briefing held today.
"Data from the inspection of BDZ indicate that since the beginning of the year, 5 700 high-speed and passenger trains have been canceled or did not run for more than 12 days on the territory of the country. These are extremely alarming findings for the performance of the service rendered under the company's contract with the state on the transportation of passengers", said Deputy Minister Papukchiyski. He added that the delays generated on a daily basis were between 1000 and 1800 minutes. Systematic poor hygiene and maintenance of the rolling stock was also found.
Deputy Minister Papukchiyski announced that seven out of a total of fifteen new Siemens Smartron locomotives were out of operation. Another one is about to be stopped. In January, a seventeen-year-old Siemens Desiro was cut up for scrap, despite its service life of between 30 and 35 years. "This is the result of the non-exercise of control and careless attitude on behalf of BDZ", Papukchiyski pointed out.
"I have ordered the management of BDZ to take immediate measures to urgently repair locomotives and wagons so that the train schedule is covered 100%. I found that a large part of the employees' rest rooms are not maintained and are in a very bad condition, for which I have also ordered urgent actions, which should be carried out by the end of September", said Deputy Minister Papukchiyski categorically.
Krasimir Papukchiyski announced that "BDZ-freight Services" is also in a bad state. The overdue and unclaimed receivables of the company amount to BGN 23 million, and repair work on wagons and locomotives has been delayed. "The company does not have the capacity and is not ready to operate at the intermodal cargo terminals and there is also an outflow of shippers," the Deputy Minister said.
Krasimir Papukchiyski pointed out that BDZ's state is due to the insufficient control by the company's management over the implementation of rolling stock repair contracts.
Regarding the merger of the companies into a national company, Krasimir Papukchyiski noted that this decision was taken without the necessary analysis of the effects and consequences of this action. This is also confirmed by a document received from BDZ, in which it is proposed to delay the merger despite the previous Minister's order.
