Private rail operator from 13 December: five working groups have two weeks
Ivkoni Express is taking over 25% of passenger rail services, ending BDZ's monopoly. Minister Peev wants solutions on trains, staff and ticketing.
Symbolic image · Photo: DemieK07 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Five working groups have two weeks to propose solutions to key issues before a private operator enters Bulgaria's passenger rail market. Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Peev announced this on Friday after a meeting with state railway BDZ, infrastructure company NRIC, private operator Ivkoni Express and the Railway Administration Executive Agency, the BTA news agency reported. The groups will deal with rolling stock, staff transfers, depots and maintenance, timetables and ticket sales.
From 13 December 2026, services will be divided under 12-year contracts signed earlier this year. BDZ Passenger Services keeps the western region, about 75% of services nationwide, while Ivkoni Express takes over the northern (14%) and southern regions (11%). This ends the state operator's monopoly.
Peev said the private operator must secure its own trains in addition to those BDZ provides under the contract, and that he would not allow the state company to be left unable to deliver its share. Employees moving to the new operator must have guarantees for the entire 12-year period, the minister said. The ministry pledged to speed up administrative procedures within its remit.