Improving the Quality of Offered Railway Services through the Implementation of New Rolling Stock

Abstract

Railway transport, through its socio-economic benefits, contributes to territorial cohesion. Via railway, the main transport corridors of each country connect the main cities with the peripheral regions and territories. Rail transport in Bulgaria is often hampered by outdated business and operational practices and the presence of obsolete infrastructure and rolling stock. These obstacles can be overcome by reducing operating costs which, along with accelerating innovation, will allow rail transport to reach its full potential, while ensuring the functioning of the internal market and improving safety and security. That is precisely why the railway sector needs to be further stimulated to be more appealing to passengers by investing in new infrastructure and rolling stock. The main object of the study is the quality of the transport service offered by BDZ “Passenger Transport”. A SWOT analysis is presented, and the main problems that worsen transport services and discourage passengers from using rail transport are identified. The main purpose of the article is to outline the prospects for the development of railway transport by the implementation of new rolling stock.