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2 clusters · 6 sources · 13 days · First seen · Last updated

Bulgarian rail fleet modernization

Overview

Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) has begun a modernization program to upgrade its aging rail fleet through the procurement of new electric multiple units (EMUs).

In early September 2026, the first two Alstom Coradia Stream units entered regular service on routes including Plovdiv–Svilengrad, Plovdiv–Asenovgrad, Svilengrad–Sofia, and Sofia–Pernik. This rollout is part of a larger order for 35 Alstom units, with 12 having arrived by mid-September 2026. The modernization also includes the integration of 25 Škoda RegioPanter EMUs.

By late September 2026, the number of Alstom Coradia Stream units in operation increased to four. These new trains, named after the Danube, Maritsa, Iskar, and Struma rivers, serve routes between Sofia and Vidin, as well as Sofia and Burgas. The procurement is funded by Bulgaria’s Recovery and Resilience Plan and includes 15 years of maintenance for the zero-emission, single-deck units.

Entities

Alstom · Škoda · Bulgarian State Railways · Ministry of Transport and Communications · Georgi Peev

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Alstom electric trains enter service in Bulgaria

    Two new Alstom Coradia Stream electric trains have entered service in Bulgaria, serving the Sofia-Vidin and Sofia-Burgas routes as part of a larger zero-emission fleet upgrade.

  2. 15 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Bulgarian State Railways launches first Coradia Stream EMUs

    Bulgarian State Railways has launched regular service with its first two Alstom Coradia Stream EMUs, part of a major fleet modernization program involving 60 new trainsets.

Sources

burgasmedia.com · europesays.com · moreto.net · podtepeto.com · raillynews.com · ruse365.com