Development Strategy for Bulgarian Railways (according to Holding BDZ)

26.05.201509:47

Minister of Transport, Information Technology & Communications Ivaylo Moskovski stressed, that joint and targeted actions by National Railway Infrastructure Company and Holding BDZ's in the field of passenger and freight businesses would send a positive signal to all partners and will ensure the sustainability of the Bulgarian railway sector.

The proposals cover three scenarios depending on the funding to be made available, designated 'optimistic', 'pessimistic' and 'realistic'. The various mutually-independent proposals include:

- a programme of rolling stock investment, with a minimum requirement for 15 electric multiple-units; the optimal quantity of 30 EMUs and 16 DMUs would significantly improve the service quality;

- prioritising the main EU transit corridors for development, with nationally important corridors as the second priority;

- modernisation of IT systems;

- staff training;

- repayment of Holding BDZ's debt, to reduce the pressure from creditors; this could include raising funds through another attempt to privatise freight business BDZ Tovarnni Prevosi;

- sale of non-operational assets including buildings and surplus locomotives and wagons to raise further funds.

Consultation with interested parties took place over the next month, following a presentation to the parliamentary transport committee on April 8. According to Executive Director of Holding BDZ Vladimir Vladimirov, measures could be added or removed before the Strategy is finalised and adopted by the Parliaments