The first two Alstom EMUs from the fleet of 35 ordered to modernise rail transport in Bulgaria have entered commercial service.
The new Coradia Stream EMUs will initially operate on four routes. As further units are delivered and introduced into service, the new trains will gradually be deployed on additional routes across the country.
From 1 September, Bulgarian national railway operator BDZ has introduced the first trains on the Plovdiv–Svilengrad, Plovdiv–Asenovgrad, Svilengrad–Sofia and Sofia–Pernik routes. The first commercial journey of one of the new units operated on the Plovdiv–Svilengrad route, departing Plovdiv station at 05:30.
The introduction of the new Alstom trains in Bulgaria marks an important step in the country’s rolling stock renewal programme, particularly as the new trains supplied by Alstom and Škoda represent the first deliveries of new rolling stock for Bulgarian rail transport in the past 20 years.
So far, 12 of the 35 Alstom units have been delivered to Bulgaria, while the remaining 23 trains are scheduled for delivery by April 2027. As the delivery, testing and certification process progresses, the new trains are expected to be gradually introduced on further routes.
“If funding is secured, we have the opportunity to purchase additional trains, which would accelerate the rolling stock modernisation programme. Our team is working around the clock to ensure that the trains are delivered, tested and certified on time,” said Georgi Peev, Minister of Transport and Communications.
The Minister stressed that the new units should also be efficiently deployed on longer-distance services, with the connection to Burgas among the routes being considered.
The contract includes train delivery and 15 years of maintenance
The Alstom Coradia Stream trains are being delivered under a contract signed in April 2025 between Bulgaria’s Ministry of Transport and Communications and the BULEMU consortium. The project is financed through Bulgaria’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The BULEMU consortium consists of Alstom, as the leader, and the Bulgarian company RVP Invest.
The contract covers the supply of 35 single-deck, zero-emission Coradia Stream electric multiple units, together with their maintenance for a period of 15 years.
Each unit consists of six cars and provides 325 seats in first and second class. The low-floor configuration facilitates passenger access, while dedicated ramps allow people with reduced mobility to board the trains more easily. Space is also provided for bicycles and pushchairs, alongside generous luggage storage areas.
The new trains are equipped with air-conditioning, modern passenger information systems featuring audio announcements and dynamic visual displays, as well as power sockets and USB ports for charging electronic devices. The trains also have the necessary infrastructure to provide wireless internet connectivity.
In terms of safety, the units are equipped with modern CCTV systems and digital technology for precise passenger counting using highly sensitive sensors. The trains also feature the European Train Control System (ETCS), supporting train operation supervision and enhancing safety on Bulgaria’s railway infrastructure.
The installed technology allows the new units to reach a maximum speed of 160 km/h, making them suitable for both regional and intercity services.
The trains will promote Bulgaria’s natural heritage
A distinctive feature of the new fleet is the identity concept chosen for each unit. Every train will be named after a Bulgarian river, waterfall or spring, allowing passengers to discover information about the country’s natural landmarks during their journey.
Each unit carries a QR code that provides passengers with direct access, via a mobile device, to the series “Rivers, Waterfalls and Springs of Bulgaria”. The initiative therefore combines the introduction of a new generation of rolling stock with the promotion of Bulgaria’s natural heritage.
Maintenance of the trains will be carried out in Bulgaria at a specially constructed depot, where around 50 Bulgarian engineers and other specialists will be involved in maintaining the new fleet.
The delivery and gradual entry into service of the 35 Alstom trains represent one of the most significant recent investments in the renewal of Bulgaria’s rail transport. For national operator BDZ, the programme provides an opportunity to replace part of its ageing rolling stock and adapt services to current passenger requirements, while the expansion of the new trains across the national network will depend on the pace of deliveries and the commissioning of the remaining units.
Share on:
