BULGARIA’s deputy prime minister and minister of transport and communications, Grozdan Karadjov, has signed regional concession contracts with private operator Ivkoni Express and state-owned BDZ Passenger Transport, which will come into effect with the timetable change on December 13 2026.
This marks the opening of the passenger rail market to the private sector and follows what the government describes as an open, competitive procedure, using a model which is compliant with European Union legislation.
The largest contract, which is for the western region and accounts for 75% of passenger services in Bulgaria, has been awarded to BDZ Passenger Transport. Ivkoni Express was awarded the contracts for the northern region, accounting for 14% of the market, and the southern region which covers the remaining 11%. All three contracts will run for 12 years.
As part of the deal, 813 staff will transfer from BDZ to Ivkoni Express. The two operators must now decide on the allocation of rolling stock, which will remain state owned, and establish clear procedures for how they will work together. The state will continue to fund and define the scope of passenger services, and set quality standards.
In the meantime, a draft Public Transport Act has been submitted to the Bulgarian parliament for approval while the Ministry of e-Government needs to approve the technical terms of reference for a single electronic ticket to be provided by the Ministry of Transport.
“With the signing of these contracts, we have successfully completed a key reform for the public transport system,” Karadjov says. “Without accurate and timely implementation, Bulgaria risked not just a delay, but a real loss of investment in new rolling stock.”
