On 29 January 2019 “Stolichen Elektrotransport” EAD and the Polish company PESA Bydgoszcz SA signed an agreement for the supply of 13 low-floor articulated trams.

The new trams form part of the large-scale modernization of the public transport in Sofia, which Mayor Fandakova’s team implements, as part of the measures for air quality improvement.

The new vehicles will have low floors and air-conditioning, as well as a platform for prams and people with disabilities. They will also have a stop-button, to be used by passengers, when getting off the trams and sound signalling for people with impaired vision. The vehicles are also supplied with a video-surveillance system. The total length of the trams is 30 m and they include special places for people with disabilities and prams. All 13 new trams will be used to fully replace the current vehicles, used on tram line 5.

The trams are expected to arrive in Sofia in two batches by the end of October 2019 and start active operation by the end of the year.

The total cost of the agreement is BGN 44 796 377,36 and it forms part of the project “Sofia Integrated Urban Transport Project – Phase II“, implemented with the financial support of Operational Programme “Regions in Growth“ 2014 – 2020, co-financed by the EU through the European Regional Development Fund.

Also agreement includes also the supply of spare parts, diagnostic equipment and training of the personnel.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Evgeniy Ganchev – Director of “Stolichen Elektrotransport” EAD and Mr. Krzysztof Sędzikowski and – Chairman of PESA’s Management Board and Mr. Sławomir Piątek – Member of the Board.

In recent years, the Sofia Municipality purchased a total of 25 new trams, which service lines 7 and 1, as well as 58 modernized trams from the Czech Republic and Switzerland.