The signing of the lease agreement represents an important milestone for Škoda Group in the development of its business activities in the Balkans.
“The leased depot will make it possible for us to ensure the high quality of maintenance and reliability of the trains we manufacture for Bulgaria in the long term. We consider this step to be a partial success in this strategically important project and it confirms our ambition to continue to be a strong partner in the field of modern rail transport in this region,” says Petr Novotný, CEO of Škoda Group.
More efficient maintenance directly from the manufacturer
Under the contract, Škoda Group will provide comprehensive maintenance for all trains supplied. This will include both standard daily maintenance tasks and larger service operations to ensure the highest possible availability of vehicles. This will require the involvement of qualified specialists. In addition to employing its own specialists, Škoda Group plans to recruit dozens of employees directly from Bulgaria, thereby supporting employment in the local market.
“We consider this full service to be the best possible solution because we, as the manufacturer, take care of the trains. Our people really know the vehicles in detail and can therefore ensure the highest standard of maintenance in the long term,” adds Petr Novotný, CEO of Škoda Group.
Škoda Group can also transfer its maintenance experience to vehicles from other manufacturers with different years of production. In the future, it will therefore be possible to service any trains running on Bulgarian railways in the leased depot.
Škoda Group has confirmed an order for the manufacture and delivery of 25 barrier-free electric trains in 2024. Each unit will offer over 300 seats, air conditioning and a smooth ride with minimal noise. The contract includes the delivery of 25 four-car electric units and 15 years of full service. The value of the contract, including the option, amounts to almost over half a billion euros.
Škoda Group has been strengthening its presence in Bulgaria for a long time. The delivery of 25 barrier-free electric trains follows on from intensive business activity in the past. Four years ago, it delivered 30 low-floor Škoda 27Tr trolleybuses to the capital Sofia for approximately € 20 million. It is currently also manufacturing eight trains for the Sofia metro, the delivery of which was confirmed two years ago.
