First two Alstom trains expected to enter service in September

The first two Alstom electric trains delivered to Bulgaria under the Recovery and Resilience Plan are expected to enter service in early September, Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Peev said during the presentation of the company’s first electric railcar at Sofia Central Railway Station.

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Andrew DeLeone, Alstom’s President for Europe, said the train has six carriages and a capacity of 325 passengers. It is fully air-conditioned and designed to operate at temperatures of up to 35–40°C. Each passenger has access to a mobile-device charging point. There are four toilets and space for bicycles, BTA reported.

The first two trains are expected to be put into service on the Pernik–Sofia–Plovdiv–Svilengrad route, as there are more sections along this route that allow speeds of up to 160 km/h.  Around 40 train drivers have already been trained to operate the new trains. Twelve Alstom trains funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan have already been delivered to Bulgaria. A further 23 trains are also expected to be delivered.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov