Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Georgi Todorov dismissed by protocol decisions Grigori Grigorov, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Nikola Vassilev, Executive Director of “Holding BDZ” EAD.
The reasons relate to the deterioration of the performance of the company compared to 2020. Since the beginning of the year have been realized 71 333 minutes of delays of 4710 trains in passenger transport, and the severely deteriorated condition of the rolling stock and the poor organization of freight transport, have led to an outflow of shippers.
“BDZ-Passenger Services” EOOD has been facing a lack of accurate rolling stock for years, while the implementation of the train repair programs and the locomotive modernization have been delayed. Besides, the prepared order for the delivery of 15 Siemens “Smartron” electric locomotives deviates from the European requirements on interoperability and the ERTMS national implementation plan.
The results of the two audits of “BDZ - Passenger Services” EOOD initiated in respect of two procedures, carried out under the Public Procurement Act and relating to repair of wagons and to security, indicate irregularities and administrative violations. Checks of the complete documentation also report the presence of incorrect information and unjustified actions on the implementation of open procedures, which refer to the expediency and transparency of the conducted orders.
A factor for the uncomfortable travel of the users of the service provided by BDZ is also the reduced hygiene in the trains, which is related to non-compliance with the minimum quality requirements under Regulation (EU) 1371/2007.
“BDZ-Freight Services” EOOD reports a loss of major shippers, receivables to the National Railway Infrastructure Company for infrastructure charges and electricity, as well as non-fulfillment of repair programs.