EUROFIMA has announced the allocation of new financing in the amount of EUR 4.5 million to BDZ Passengers, Bulgaria’s national passenger rail operator.
The amount represents the second tranche under the framework agreement signed in April of this year and has a 10-year repayment term.
The funding will support the purchase of 18 secondhand intercity railcars, previously used in Germany, which will be introduced into Bulgaria’s public rail transport services. The railcars are equipped with HVAC systems and have undergone several modernization programs, including completely refurbished interiors and external passenger information systems; each railcar has a capacity of up to 80 seats.
Secondhand Railcars from DB
This new batch follows the first round of funding, worth EUR 8.1 million, granted in April 2026 for the purchase of 35 similar railcars. In total, the framework agreement between EUROFIMA and BDZ could reach EUR 22 million and supports a broader program to renew the Bulgarian operator’s rolling stock fleet.
In March 2026, the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport announced that BDZ would purchase 91 used railcars from Deutsche Bahn (DB), a move seen as a quick solution to increase capacity and improve passenger comfort without having to wait for the delivery of multiple units built from scratch. In 2024, BDZ and DB signed a contract for the delivery of 76 modernized used railcars, valued at EUR 15.4 million.
For BDZ, this investment is crucial given that Bulgaria’s passenger rail system faces a significant shortage of railcars and trains, a situation that directly affects the quality of services provided. The lack of adequate rolling stock leads to overcrowding, delays, and difficulties in adhering to schedules, especially on high-traffic routes.
Renewal of the Rolling Stock Fleet
To increase capacity and the level of comfort offered to passengers, BDZ has signed contracts with Škoda and Alstom for the delivery of new trains.
The most recent agreement, dated April 2025, was concluded by BDZ with the BULEMU consortium—comprising Alstom and RVP Invest—and is valued at EUR 720 million. Under this contract, Alstom is delivering 35 Coradia Stream electric trains, valued at EUR 600 million.
Previously, in 2024, BDZ also signed a contract with Škoda worth EUR 256 million for the purchase of 25 RegioPanter EMUs. The contract also included an option for an additional 5 units, which was exercised that same year.
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