Škoda Group has officially presented the first completed electric train for Bulgaria, marking a key milestone in one of the country’s largest current rolling stock modernisation projects.
The four-car electric multiple unit is part of a 25-train contract for suburban and regional services on the Bulgarian railway network. After completing dynamic and safety tests in the Czech Republic, the first two units are now due to begin testing on Bulgarian infrastructure, with certification and final approval work continuing in coordination with the Bulgarian authorities.
Škoda says the trains are based on its RegioPanter platform and were produced within 14 months of contract signature, a relatively short timeframe given the level of adaptation required for the Bulgarian market. The new units are designed for operation at up to 160 km/h under 25 kV AC electrification and are equipped with ETCS Level 2.
The contract also includes 15 years of maintenance to be carried out by Škoda Group in Bulgaria, giving the project a longer-term lifecycle dimension beyond vehicle delivery alone.
Bulgarian Transport Minister Korman Ismailov described rail modernisation as one of the country’s strategic priorities, while Škoda Group said the project forms part of its broader expansion in Southeast Europe.
The Bulgarian EMU programme is one of several recent contracts strengthening Škoda’s position in the country. In parallel, the company is also supplying metro trainsets and trolleybuses for Sofia, underlining Bulgaria’s current role as an increasingly important market for Czech transport technology.
