Škoda has presented in Plzeň the Sofia metro train worth €65 million and will supply eight sets until the spring of 2026, gaining strength in the market as well as upgrading the Bulgarian capital’s transport infrastructure.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Škoda to Deliver New Trains for Sofia Metro
Photo: Škoda Group

New Škoda Technologies for Sofia Metro

It built four-car sets with an 80-meter total length as well as full walkthrough configuration. The trains had the ability to run at 90 km/h speed and obtain power using 750 V DC third rail.

Škoda supplied them with three-phase asynchronous traction motors as well as an up-to-date system for air-conditioning. During Sofia’s scorching summers, the people will journey in comfort, the fast ventilation taking the load off the system.

Each of the cars holds over 580 people, seating about 120. Special sections for the wheelchairs are available, as well as four doors on both sides of the cars for speedy boarding and departing.

Škoda Train Trial and Sofia Prospects

It is being tested at the Velim test center the first train, at the Czech factory the second train, and two others are being built. November 2025 will see the first shipment of the Bulgarias. All the trains will arrive by April 2026.

The Sofia Metro, launched in 1998, already spans 52 kilometers with 47 stations, while another ten stations are under construction. The new Škoda trains will serve Lines 1, 2, and 4, boosting capacity and reducing congestion.

It not only refurbishes Sofia’s urban transport but also reveals the long-term vision in Central and Eastern Europe for Škoda. Sofia’s capital city gets new-age rolling stock, and the company solidifies its position as the region’s lead supplier.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

What is the Sofia Škoda metro train?

It’s a new four-car train set valued at €65 million, designed especially for Bulgaria’s capital city subway.

When will Škoda train deliveries begin?

Its first shipment will arrive in November 2025, and all eight trains will arrive by spring 2026.

How does the cooling system of the Škoda trains operate?

It stays at pleasant temperatures well into Sofia’s summer season, with efficient ventilation and less overheating.

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