Škoda Group has officially unveiled the first of eight new metro trains for Sofia, marking a major milestone in the modernisation of public transport in the Bulgarian capital. The four-car train was presented at the company’s production site in Pilsen, ahead of delivery to local operator Metropoliten EAD later this year.
The contract, worth nearly EUR 66 million (CZK 1.6 billion), covers the design and manufacture of eight four-car trains, which are being produced at Škoda Group’s sites in Pilsen and Ostrava. The project builds on Škoda’s long-standing presence in Bulgaria: since 2010, the group has delivered 210 trolleybuses to five Bulgarian cities.
“Progressing according to plan”
“The unveiling of the new metro train shows that the project is progressing according to plan. The first vehicle will be transported to Sofia in November, and we aim to complete the entire order in the first half of next year. We are proud to contribute to the modernisation of public transport in the Bulgarian capital and to provide passengers with greater comfort and capacity thanks to the new metro trains,” said Zdeněk Sváta, Member of the Board of Directors and COO of Škoda Group.
State-of-the-art design for Sofia’s growing network
Carrying around 400,000 passengers daily, Sofia’s metro is one of the youngest underground networks in Europe and continues to expand. The new 80-metre Škoda trains will enhance the network’s capacity while improving comfort and accessibility.
Because parts of the Sofia metro operate above ground, the vehicles have been specially designed to withstand warmer conditions. Each train features high-capacity air-conditioning systems adapted to the city’s summer climate, along with two dedicated wheelchair spaces to ensure barrier-free access for all passengers.
Safety is enhanced through an automatic speed control system, which regulates distance between trains and prevents bunching. The trains are powered by three-phase asynchronous traction motors and feature regenerative braking, which returns recovered energy to the grid to improve efficiency. Built for a maximum speed of 90 km/h, they draw power from a third rail at 750 V DC on standard-gauge track.
Production status and delivery schedule
The first train is currently undergoing type and test runs at the Velim test circuit in the Czech Republic, while the second unit has completed Factory Acceptance Testing. Two further trains are in production, with delivery of the first train to Sofia scheduled for early November 2025.
Škoda Group expects to complete the entire order between March and April 2026.
Production milestones:
- First metro: undergoing type and test runs at Velim
- Second metro: completed and undergoing Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
- Third and fourth metros: in production
- First train transport to Sofia: November 2025
- Final delivery: March–April 2026
Energy efficiency and passenger comfort
Energy efficiency has been a key focus throughout development. Regenerative braking reduces electricity consumption and lowers operating costs, while modern traction technology ensures quieter operation and a smaller environmental footprint.
Inside, passengers will find fully air-conditioned, walk-through cars offering a spacious, modern interior. The design prioritises comfort and accessibility, with wide doors for fast boarding, high-capacity standing areas and ergonomically arranged seating for more than 580 passengers, around 120 of them seated.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Train configuration | Four-car set (approx. 80 m) |
| Maximum speed | 90 km/h |
| Power supply | 750 V DC (third rail) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm |
| Traction | Three-phase asynchronous motors |
| Braking | Regenerative system |
| Climate control | High-capacity air-conditioning for warm climate |
| Accessibility | Two wheelchair spaces, level boarding |
| Safety | Automatic speed control, modern braking systems |
| Capacity | Over 580 passengers (approx. 120 seated) |
| Doors | Four double-leaf doors per car per side |
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