Skip to main content

Siemens to equip new metro line in Sofia

Metropolitan EAD, the metro operator in Sofia, Bulgaria, has commissioned a consortium of Siemens and the Polish train manufacturer Newag to equip the new metro line 3 in the city, which will create an 18 kilometre east-west link that will serve 18 stations. The order, valued at around US$158 million (EUR140 million), comprises the delivery of 20 Inspiro type metro trains and the Trainguard MT automatic train protection system, using wireless CBTC technology (communications-based train control) to provid
March 30, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Metropolitan EAD, the metro operator in Sofia, Bulgaria, has commissioned a consortium of 189 Siemens and the Polish train manufacturer Newag to equip the new metro line 3 in the city, which will create an 18 kilometre east-west link that will serve 18 stations.

The order, valued at around US$158 million (EUR140 million), comprises the delivery of 20 Inspiro type metro trains and the Trainguard MT automatic train protection system, using wireless CBTC technology (communications-based train control) to provide automatic operation. An option for ten more trains and the related automation system is also part of the contract. The line is planned to be put into operation in 2019.

The consortium will provide the automatic, CBTC-based train control system (onboard and wayside), Trackguard interlocking, automatic Controlguide OCS train supervision system, voice radio and data transmission system, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (Scada) system, wayside digital communication network and half-height platform screen doors for the stations.

"Sofia marks another European capital that has decided in favour of mass transit vehicles and train automation equipment from Siemens. The inner-city transportation services in particular have to cater to ever-increasing demand. For this purpose, we have developed a rolling stock and trackside equipment that combine high transport capacities with low operating costs," said Jochen Eickholt, CEO of Siemens Mobility Division.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Meeting the challenges of smartcard fare payment
    July 4, 2012
    David Crawford monitors a growing trend in contactless smartcard ticketing The north east United States has become a hive of activity in the smart fare payment arena. In October 2011, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) published, as a preliminary to an imminent procurement process, the detailed concept of its New Fare Payment System (NFPS). Based on open payment industry standards, this is designed to be implemented on all MTA bus and subway services operated by New York City Transit (
  • Major growth predicted in automatic passenger counting and passenger information systems
    March 27, 2017
    According to a new market research report by MarketsandMarkets, the automated passenger counting (APC) systems market is expected to reach US$298 million by 2022, while the passenger information (PI) systems market is expected to reach US$11.34 billion by 2022. According to the report, the factors driving the growth of the market include the increasing demand for real-time transit information, increased adoption of advanced solutions in the transport sector, advantages offered by APC to transit operator
  • Authorities select enforce now, pay later option
    October 19, 2015
    Outsouring of enforcement services is on the increase internationally as highway and traffic authorities seek further support in resources and expertise from the private sector. Jon Masters reports. Signs of a significant company making moves into a new market can usually be read as indication of likely growth in that particular sector. Q-Free’s expansion from tolling operations into general traffic enforcement could be viewed as surprising as it is moving into what are relatively mature and consolidating m
  • Major new traffic signal maintenance contract awarded in Scotland
    August 12, 2015
    Glasgow City Council and West Dunbartonshire Council have awarded a joint contract to Siemens to maintain roadside traffic control and information equipment for a period of up to five years, commencing 1 August 2015. The new contract includes the provision of associated ancillary support services, as well as the supply of works and services to support the Councils’ traffic control operation and periodical planned signal and optical maintenance, With equipment at over 500 traffic signal intersections and