Bulgaria has signed 12-year public service contracts with BDZ–Passenger Transport and private operator Ivkoni Express, opening the national passenger rail market to a private carrier for the first time.
Following a competitive procedure, the Western region, accounting for 75% of national rail passenger traffic, was awarded to state-owned BDZ–Passenger Transport. Ivkoni Express ranked first for the Northern and Southern regions, representing 14% and 11% of services respectively.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov stated that the state will retain responsibility for defining service scope, quality standards, oversight and financing. Rolling stock will remain state-owned.
According to the ministry, 813 BDZ employees are to transfer to Ivkoni Express under existing employment conditions. Over the next 10 months, both operators are to prepare operational systems, rolling stock arrangements and coordination procedures to ensure a transition by the December 2026 timetable change.
The ministry has also submitted a draft Public Transport Act to parliament and is preparing technical specifications for a national electronic ticketing system.
