Pesa, Alstom, Škoda and Stadler Polska have submitted their bids for Bulgarian EMU procurement, the Ministry pf Transport and Communications announced.
The project covers the acquisition of 35 single-deck electric multiple units. The tender was launched at the beginning of the year, but the technical specifications of two bidders who submitted offers did not meet the requirements.
Taking into account the complexity and specificity of the contract, by decision of Minister Georgi Gvozdeykov, the Ministry of Transport and Communications switched to a negotiated procedure without prior announcement. “We will invite a wide range of participants to the negotiations in order to achieve maximum competition and to ensure transparency we will also invite representatives of the European Commission to monitor the negotiation process” the, Minister Gvozdeykov said at the time.
The tender had a price of BGN 1.1 billion (EUR 553 million) excluding VAT, and also included the provision of maintenance services for a period of 15 years. The new EMUs must be able to run at a speed of 160 km/h and to provide at least 200 seats.
The Bulgarian EMU procurement is funded by the with National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Bulgaria launched tenders to acquire rolling stock totalling BGN 2.8 billion (EUR 1.4 billion) excluding VAT.
In April, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Stadler Polska signed a BGN 300.5 million (EUR 151 million) contract for the supply of 7 double-decker trains.
The contract, such the other rolling stock acquisitions, is also financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan which covers 50% of BDZ’s needs, while the Bulgarian state has to provide the other 50%.
At the same time negotiations continue with Talgo for the design, construction and supply of 20 push-pull trains based on the intercity technological platform. Talgo said that these new trains will provide around 390 seats per unit and will boast unique passenger comfort. The new push-pull trains will provide “world’s best accessibility” with a single-deck, 100% low-floor access at platform level of 760 mm and good accessibility for lower station platforms as compared with other coaches. The train will be designed to increase the autonomy of persons with reduced mobility and also enhancing the whole user experience by making boarding and debarking operations faster for all passengers.
In addition. In February, the Ministry of Transport signed a contract for 9 new electric shunting locomotives which should be delivered until mid-2026. The contract has a value of BGN 10.5 million (EUR 5.3 million). The new vehicles will replace the existing 50-year-old diesel locomotives that are currently in use in depots in the country and will significantly improve the working conditions of the employees. The contract also includes their maintenance for 15 years and staff training. The contractor of the activities is Express Service Ltd.
This project will reduce the cost of shunting and emissions from this activity, as well as provide the rail carrier with modern and up-to-date equipment.
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