# Bulgarian railway privatization and staff transition

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-railway-privatization-and-staff-transition
> Updated: 2026-10-27T17:32:23.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

Bulgarian railway unions have raised concerns regarding the upcoming transition of personnel from the state-owned BDZ to the private operator Ivconi Express. Under a 12-year agreement signed in February as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Ivconi Express is scheduled to manage 25% of passenger rail services starting December 13, 2026.

Union leaders, including representatives from KNSB and Podkrepa, have demanded that the movement of staff be strictly voluntary, citing a lack of clarity and unofficial reports of non-consensual reassignments. While the Ministry of Transport initially estimated between 580 and 813 employees would move, the figure was later revised to 580.

Following meetings between Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Peev, labor unions, and BDZ management, a consensus has been reached regarding joint operations. This agreement covers the use of rolling stock, leasing of buildings and tracks, schedule coordination, and mutual ticket sales. To manage the transition, five working groups have been established to oversee mobile crews, support staff, social conditions, and ticketing operations.

A significant focus of recent negotiations has been the protection of labor and social rights for transitioning employees. Minister Peev emphasized that working conditions, social benefits, and collective bargaining rights must be preserved long-term, including existing perks such as free travel for railway workers. Next steps involve technical refinements, ticketing system compatibility testing, and further meetings to finalize personnel guarantees.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-27: BDZ and Ivconi Express reach agreement on railway operations

BDZ and Ivconi Express have agreed on schedules, ticketing, and infrastructure use for joint operations starting December 2026, with a focus on protecting railway workers' rights.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bdz-and-ivconi-express-reach-agreement-on-railway-operations

### 2026-10-26: Bulgarian Transport Minister discusses staff transfer to Ivconi Express

Bulgarian Minister Georgi Peev met with unions to discuss transferring BDZ staff to private operator Ivconi Express, focusing on labor conditions and staffing requirements.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-transport-minister-discusses-staff-transfer-to-ivconi-express

### 2026-10-20: Bulgarian railway unions demand voluntary transition to Ivconi Express

Bulgarian railway unions are demanding that the transfer of staff from state-owned BDZ to private operator Ivconi Express be strictly voluntary and transparent.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-railway-union-demands-voluntary-transition-to-ivconi-express

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Cite as: Bulgarian railway privatization and staff transition. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-railway-privatization-and-staff-transition