site.btaTransport Minister Requests Reports on Railway Safety After Level Crossing Barriers Malfunctioned on Sunday

Transport Minister Georgi Peev has requested detailed reports on railway safety during a meeting with the leadership of the National Railway Infrastructure Company, the BDZ Holding, and the Executive Agency Railway Administration, his ministry said.

The meeting was prompted by an incident on Sunday involving a malfunction of the barriers at two railway level crossings in the area of Gorna Oryahovitsa.

According to the statement, Minister Peev has instructed that within a short deadline, detailed reports be submitted on the current safety measures, the results of audits at European, international, and national level, as well as a full review of all recommendations from inspections that have not yet been implemented.

The ministry also added that the transport minister is requesting concrete proposals to improve safety, with clear and realistic implementation deadlines.

“I do not want piecemeal actions and explanations after each incident. A comprehensive approach is needed, coordination between institutions, and clear responsibility for the implementation of measures,” said Minister Peev.

Regarding explanations that the cause of the incident was a broken cable, as well as claims that some of the equipment is over 40 years old, the Minister stressed that such arguments cannot justify systemic weaknesses.

He said that safety must come first in any system, followed by modernization. According to him, millions are being invested in railway infrastructure, while in some places outdated systems and technologies are still in use.

The Ministry also noted that the minister is firmly against the practice of launching projects without sufficient design readiness, as this creates risks of delays, inefficient use of public funds, and compromises in safety.

On Sunday the National Railway Infrastructure Company announced a technical problem with the barriers at two railway level crossings in the area of Gorna Oryahovitsa station.

The company said that safety measures had been introduced to ensure the safe passage of trains until the malfunction is repaired. These included manning one of the crossings and the introduction of special operating conditions in the section between Gorna Oryahovitsa and Polikraishte.