site.btaTransport Minister: Three New Siemens Smartron Locomotives Enter Service
Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov announced on Friday that three new electric locomotives “Siemens Smartron” are entering service. Two of them will serve trains on the Sofia-Burgas route, and one on the Sofia-Ruse line with another one expected by Christmas.
Minister Karadjov said that this is a happy occasion for the modernization of Bulgarian railways. The new locomotives arrived on schedule under the contract for the delivery of a total of 10 by the end of the year. According to him, the new machines are more reliable and energy efficient - when coasting, they return electricity to the grid. These are modern and environmentally friendly locomotives that will reduce delays and ensure a smoother journey for passengers, he added.
Karadjov pointed out that the locomotives are named after notable Bulgarians - Zahari Stoyanov, Georgi Ikonomov, Boris Kolchev, with each of them having a QR code that passengers can use to learn more about the people after whom the machines are named.
He noted that Bulgarian State Railways continues to experience a shortage of passenger cars. Currently, there is a shortage of about 40 passenger cars, and by the end of the year, this number could reach 70, adding that the goal is to purchase or lease new carriages after the New Year, if possible, within the budget, including a dozen in reserve, due to ongoing repairs.
The new locomotives will be equipped with the state-of-the-art European Train Control System, which will be activated after installation, minimizing accidents on the railway network.
According to Karadjov, Bulgarian State Railways needs a total of about 80 carriages, as well as 15 new long-distance trains. Project documentation has been prepared to apply for funding from the climate fund to overcome regional disparities, Karadjov added.
/IV/
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