Bulgaria signs new €65m deal for Škoda electric locos

The outgoing transport minister of Bulgaria has signed a €65 million deal with Škoda Transportation for five new electric locomotives. That’s after the Czech company sealed a deal worth half a billion euros with the Bulgarian government earlier in the year for 25 barrier-free electric units. In essence, the country is handing out big contracts to go green and it’s got the EU funding to do it.

Škoda Transportation, together with its subsidiary Škoda Vagonka, has formalised an additional agreement for the supply of five new electric locomotives valued at 127.8 million leva, around €65 million. The deal, which was inked by Bulgaria’s transport minister Krassimira Stoyanova on Thursday, includes a 15-year maintenance plan and personnel training.

“We all know what a huge need the Bulgarian railways have for new rolling stock and the difficulties we face in securing it,” said Stoyanova. She added that it was the first time the European Commission had agreed to finance Bulgaria’s rolling stock through the EU’s Transport Connectivity Programme 2021-2027.

The new locomotives will be able to carry at least 300 passengers and reach speeds up to 160 km/h. Delivery is expected to be completed within two years, with Stoyanova indicating that they would serve busy northern routes, including Rousse-Varna and Varna-Gorna Oryahovitsa-Mezdra, as well as shorter trips like Sofia-Dragoman.

Bulgaria pushing hard for modernisation

The expansion means the country will operate a fleet of 25 new Škoda electric locomotives by 2026. The signing ceremony, held at the Transport Ministry in Sofia, was attended by Czech Ambassador Miroslav Toman, who was keen to emphasise the high quality of Czech rail vehicles and expressed his confidence in the positive impact of the investment.

Bulgaria’s rolling stock has long faced significant challenges, marked by an ageing fleet and insufficient investment, which has taken its toll on the reliability and efficiency of its rail network. To give an example, the average age of electric locomotives in the freight sector is approximately 45 years, with 90 per cent of freight wagons being over 40 years old. However, recent investments, including the deal with Škoda, signal a serious push towards modernisation. Backed by the EU, the country plans to invest over €1.5 billion in new rail vehicles by 2027.

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