A contract for the purchase of 91 DB railcars for the Bulgarian passenger rail operator BDZ is set to be signed in the coming period.
The announcement was made by Bulgaria’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Korman Ismailov, during a meeting with Irene Plank, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Bulgaria.
Bulgaria’s railway system faces a significant shortage of passenger cars and trains, which directly affects the quality of services provided to passengers. The lack of adequate rolling stock leads to overcrowded trains, frequent delays, and difficulties in adhering to schedules, particularly on high-traffic routes. This shortage prevents the national rail operator from ensuring the necessary comfort and reliability, limiting its ability to meet the growing demand for passenger rail transport. Consequently, fleet modernization and the acquisition of new railcars are considered essential for improving the travel experience and increasing the attractiveness of public transport in Bulgaria.
“BDZ is participating in the tender for the acquisition of rolling stock to ensure more reliable and comfortable travel conditions for citizens,” the minister stated.
It should be noted that, under a separate contract, Bulgaria received 19 DB railcars in 2024, which have been modernized.
Contracts for New Rolling Stock
Regarding new passenger rolling stock, BDZ has signed contracts with Alstom and Škoda.
Alstom will deliver 35 Coradia Stream electric intercity trains under a 600 million EUR contract. This was signed in April 2025 with the BULEMU consortium, formed by Alstom and RVP Invest, and has a total value of 720 million EUR.
In 2024, Škoda announced the contract for the delivery of 25 RegioPanter electric multiple units, with a firm order for 20 four-car trains. The contract also included an option for another 5 RegioPanter multiple units, which was exercised in November 2024. The first two trains arrived in Bulgaria this month.
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