Our policy is aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of the transport sector, in line with the principles of security, safety, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. We have started active work on accelerating all transport projects that are linked to the implementation of the European Union's green and digital transition objectives. With these words the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Dimitar Nedyalkov addressed the participants in a round table ‘Need for joint action of politicians and scientists for decarbonisation and smart solutions in the field of transport’, organised by the Ruse University ‘Angel Kanchev’.
Deputy Minister Dimitar Nedyalkov pointed out that the budget of the Transport Connectivity Program 2021—2027 is BGN 3.718 billion. The funds will mainly be used to develop rail and road infrastructure on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), deploy intelligent transport systems, promote intermodality and build infrastructure for alternative fuels.
The programme provides €40 million for the construction of 160 charging stations for alternative fuels on the national road network and 4 in public transport ports of national importance. "This will contribute to promoting energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment and climate," the Deputy Transport Minister pointed out.
Under the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan (NRSP), investments are planned for the purchase of 7 double-deck and 35 single-deck electric multiple units, 20 single-deck push-pull units, 18 electric shunting locomotives, and the supply of on-board equipment for 108 electric locomotives and multiple units. "In the procurement of rolling stock, we found that several significant omissions were made. In order to avoid their risks and to expand the opportunity for greater competition, public procurement has been suspended. We are currently working on the elimination of these gaps and we plan to start the procurement again by the end of this month," Deputy Minister Dimitar Nedyalkov said. He added that the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS Level 2) will be implemented in the railway section Ruse - Kaspichan with the funds from the NRMP. It is also planned to build an Intermodal Terminal in Ruse by mid-2026. The tender has already been launched and it is expected that a contractor will be selected by September. The indicative value of the project is BGN 54 million.
