Ivkoni Express receives a license as a passenger railway carrier in Bulgaria

The private railway company Ivkoni Express, affiliated with the coach service company Union Ivkoni, has officially obtained a license for passenger rail transportation in Bulgaria. According to relevant documentation at the Railway Administration Executive Agency, the permit was issued on February 11 and signed by Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov.

Thus, Ivkoni Express will be the third private enterprise to compete with the troubled, state-owned "BDZ—Passenger Transport." The other two private companies that have obtained that license are Pimk Rail Express and Railimpex.

Ivkoni Express’ intention to enter the race has been known since the end of last year. In October, the company submitted documents. Now the new license allows it to offer passenger transport only with locomotive traction.

Last year, the company indicated to Economic.bg that they wanted to operate two railway routes - from Sofia to Varna with an intermediate stop in Gorna Oryahovitsa, as well as from Sofia to Burgas with a stop in Karlovo.

The company plans to launch these routes at the beginning of the active tourist season in 2025, that is, in the summer, with the services being offered mainly on weekends and holidays.

In this context, the procedure for selecting a new passenger railway carrier is expected to start this year. Former Transport Minister Krasimira Stoyanova had said that the new state contract would be for 8 years and would be divided into three lots. The current Transport Minister, Grozdan Karadjov, has not commented on whether he plans any changes to this.

Translated by Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov