site.btaExpert Sees the Right Conditions in Bulgaria to Build High-Speed Rail Services

At present, Bulgaria has the right conditions to build high-speed rail lines, according to Rumen Markov, CEO of Large Infrastructure Projects. He was speaking Thursday at an event in Sofia on high-speed trains (over 250 kmph) transforming rail travel in the country, organized by Large Infrastructure Projects. He presented projects for Sofia - Varna (with branches to Vidin and Ruse/Bucharest) and Sofia - Thessaloniki high-speed services.

Currently, traveling by train between Sofia, Athens, and Bucharest is impractical, said Markov. The Thessaloniki line is inactive, and the journey to Bucharest takes over 10 hours. The proposed high-speed lines could connect all three countries efficiently.

Data from 2001 - 2025 show declining rail passenger numbers in Bulgaria, with rail accounting for just 1.7% of passenger land transport (compared to 8.1% EU-wide). Freight transport is stronger: 9.4% in Bulgaria versus 5.5% EU average.

The Sofia - Varna line project developed by Large Infrastructure, is designed for 350 kmph, Sofia - Thessaloniki for 320 km/h, starting at Sofia Central Station and including a new station at Vasil Levski Airport. Sofia - Varna travel would take 2 hours 3 minutes, with hourly departures from 6:00 to 22:00. The planned Ruse - Bucharest branch will reduce Sofia - Bucharest travel to 2 hours 20 minutes with ten trains daily. Sofia - Thessaloniki trains would take 90 minutes, Sofia - Athens 4 hours 45 minutes, with eight high-speed and 17 medium-speed trains daily.

A separate S-Bahn project is planned between Sofia, Pernik, and Radomir, with trains every 10 minutes during peak hours.

Markov emphasized favorable conditions: Bulgaria and Romania are in Schengen, Bulgaria is in the eurozone, and EU high-speed rail plans provide potential funding, possibly covering over 50% for multi-country projects ready in 6 - 8 years. Total investment is around EUR 20 billion. He urged the Ministry of Transport to implement a ten-year program rather than fragmented efforts.