"We have to think about the service, its attractiveness to society, its sustainability, long-term performance and the fulfillment of the BDZ's benchmarks in order to be the provider of this basic service contract with the state and after 2024 when the market will be liberalized. " This was announced by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Rossen Jeliazkov, during the public discussion on "Buying new rolling stock for the needs of BDZ and investments in the national railway infrastructure". The management teams of BDZ and NRIC, representatives of trade unions and employers' organizations, higher education institutions "Todor Kableshkov", Technical University of Sofia and UNWE, non-governmental organizations and railway experts attended the discussion. Minister Jeliazkov noted that the national rail carrier must convince the public that it is developing in an upward trend in order to maintain the only and leading position in passenger transport.
During the event, it became clear that it is expected by the end of the year to start a procedure for the purchase of about 15 medium-distance railway trains and for delivery of 30 to 50 new wagons. More than 4,000 places for medium and long-distance travel will be provided. Initial studies can be delivered early in mid-2023. The indicative value of the investment is just over EUR 100 million and is planned in a way that will not hamper the financial position of the company.
In parallel, a program for modernization and repair of the available locomotives, wagons and modular trains is also under way. Talks are already being made with the Shkoda locomotive manufacturer and the possibility of their modernization, which will lead to an increase in the maximum speed to 160 km / h and their operational lifetime by 20 years. A procedure for the capital repair of the available modular trains is in process.
Negotiations with Deutsche Bahn (DB) are also being negotiated for the purchase of about 100 wagons operated and maintained by German railways. Initially, the investment required will be lower than that for the renovation and upgrading of own wagons, and their delivery can be completed within one year.
Within the public consultation, the investment program of the National Railway Infrastructure Company was presented in perspective until 2030, with 50% of the entire railway network being upgraded by then.
