The situation at BDZ’s depots is “dire”

Working conditions at the repair depots are dire and threaten the proper operation of modern rolling stock. The stark contrast between the new rolling stock and the neglected infrastructure was highlighted during an inspection by Transport Minister Georgi Peev at the “Nadezhda” railcar depot. There, a portion of German passenger railcars are currently being prepared for service and two Škoda electric railcars are in storage.

The people I see here are professionals who love their work, but the working conditions are more than dire,” the minister said, as quoted by the ministry’s press office.

After meeting with workers on site the minister noted that the lack of adequate management decisions in the past has turned train maintenance into a battle that is won solely thanks to the professionalism and enthusiasm of the railway workers. Peev pledged that ensuring safe transportation and improving the working environment would now go hand in hand as a top priority for the ministry.

The people working here know the railway down to the smallest detail and give their all to maintain the rolling stock. Unfortunately all too often their professionalism compensates for the lack of adequate solutions at higher levels,” the minister noted.

The issue of depots and bases is becoming urgent not only because of the people who work there, but also in view of the upcoming entry in December of the first private passenger operator – Ivkoni Express. The expected new trains funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) will remain the property of the Ministry of Transport but the ministry will distribute them proportionally between the state-owned company and the new market player. Rolling stock acquired before 2009 meanwhile will be leased out.

As a reminder of the total 25 railcars contracted with the Czech company “Škoda” “BDZ-Passenger Transport” will operate 19 while the private carrier will receive the remaining 6. Of the 35 French trains from Alstom the state railways will receive 26 while Ivkoni Express will use 9.

To service its rolling stock over the next 15 yr the Škoda Group has already signed a lease agreement for a private depot in the capital’s Iliyantsi neighborhood where it will carry out all maintenance work. The Alstom consortium is also building its own independent service network with specialized facilities in the Sofia village of Svetovrachene and in the Plovdiv area.

Translated with DeepL.