Bulgarian Railways and Alstom reported on the progress of the train maintenance project

Bulgarian Railways and Alstom reported on the progress of the train maintenance project

Bulgarian Railways (BDZ) – Passenger Transport LLC and Alstom reported on the progress of the BDZ train maintenance project. In December 2019, the two companies signed a five-year contract for the maintenance of 46 trains. The scope of the contract includes full routine maintenance, as well as overhaul of 22 diesel locomotives and 24 electric locomotives, informs Railway Supply magazine citing BDZ website.

Despite unexpected difficulties and delays caused by the global pandemic, the project has made significant headway in recent months: three depots have been modernized and 26 trains are currently in operation.

From May to September, three depots in Sofia, Varna and Plovdiv had large-scale modernization. More than 1 million leva were invested in them to be prepared and equipped to carry out repair and maintenance work on trains. Alstom plans to open an office in Sofia and work with local suppliers.

“Despite unexpected delays caused by the global crisis, we have overcome initial difficulties and are pleased to report good progress to the general public and our clients. The trains are in excellent technical condition, and efforts to restore them will make it possible to safely operate the rolling stock in the next ten years, ”said Lyuben Nanov, head of BDZ – Passenger Transport LLC, noting the progress of train repairs.

“Launching this project during a global pandemic was an unexpected problem that Alstom is solving with a Romanian team of experts, Bulgarian officials and a number of local suppliers who are working around the clock for the project’s success.” – said Gabriel Stancu, CEO of Alstom Romania, Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova. “We have developed and will continue to develop a local partnership to ensure the supply of spare parts needed to service trains,” he added.

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