Incident at Blagoevgrad Station
A newly delivered Škoda electric train was found vandalized with graffiti at Blagoevgrad station, according to reports from novinite.com and Railway PRO. The incident occurred sometime between the night of August 18 and the early hours of August 19. During a routine inspection at approximately 4:45 a.m., the transport crew discovered that the first carriage had been spray-painted, with markings covering about two square meters in total.
The perpetrators have not yet been identified, according to Anatoly Atanasov, director of Rolling Stock and Operations at Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ). In a statement quoted by novinite.com, Atanasov described the discovery: "At the moment, the perpetrators have not been identified. The incident occurred on the 18th and 19th of this month. When the train was at Blagoevgrad station on the first track, during a routine inspection at 4:45 in the morning, the transport crew found that the first carriage of the train was scratched with graffiti. The graffiti is two, about two square meters."
The Ministry of Transport and Communications has filed a report with the relevant authorities to identify and apprehend those responsible, as reported by both novinite.com and Railway PRO. The ministry said it would continue working to protect the newly delivered rolling stock.
Security and Response
In response to the incident, BDZ has begun strengthening security around the trains. According to novinite.com, the railway company has held meetings with Interior Ministry representatives, identified all stations where the new trains remain overnight, and arranged additional patrols and extra security measures at depots.
The damaged carriage is expected to be handed over to representatives of the manufacturer, with graffiti removal anticipated within 24 hours, as reported by novinite.com.
New Trains in Service
The incident comes just days after the first eight Škoda electric trains entered service in Bulgaria on 14 August 2026, with the number set to rise to 20 this month, according to Railway PRO. Transport Minister Georgi Peev described the introduction of the new RegioPanter trains as the start of a comprehensive programme to modernise the country's rail transport. He travelled on one of the first units, named 'Sredna Gora'. The trains are named after mountains and peaks in Bulgaria and are equipped with Wi-Fi, QR codes for information, and modern security systems.
The introduction of the trains was made possible by the acceleration of administrative, certification, and training processes, as reported by Railway PRO.
Broader Modernisation Programme
Bulgaria's rail modernisation extends beyond the Škoda fleet. With future deliveries of trains manufactured by Alstom, Bulgaria will have a total of 60 new trains, Railway PRO reported. Minister Georgi Peev stated that "strategically, between 280 and 300 railcars are required to meet national transport needs." He also noted that the Bulgarian authorities are due to discuss in Brussels how to secure sustainable funding so that the modernisation can continue as a long-term programme, based on an analysis of passenger numbers and the actual needs of the population.
The investment forms part of Bulgaria's Recovery and Resilience Plan. Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov stated that over EUR 400 million is being invested in new rolling stock, according to Railway PRO.
Minister's Appeal
Both novinite.com and Railway PRO reported that the incident follows an appeal by Minister Georgi Peev to the public to protect the new trains. Peev emphasized that the trains were purchased with public funds and are intended to provide passengers with a more modern and comfortable travel experience. He described the new trains as an investment benefiting everyone and said protecting them and other public property should be a shared responsibility.