Hitachi Rail to Upgrade Signalling on Bulgaria-Serbia Rail Link

Hitachi Rail, in partnership with CERB, has secured a contract from Bulgaria’s National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC) to implement the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) on the Voluyak–Dragoman railway line.

The project continues Hitachi Rail’s ongoing collaboration with NRIC and extends its experience in modern railway signalling in Bulgaria and Europe.

The contract covers the installation of European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 trackside equipment and GSM-R communications along the 35-kilometre double-track section between Dragoman and Voluyak, a suburb of Sofia.

Hitachi Rail will lead the consortium, overseeing the design, delivery, installation, and commissioning of the ETCS Level 1 trackside system. CERB will manage local installation activities and support the full implementation of the GSM-R system, which provides mobile communications for railway operations. The project is scheduled for completion within 34 months, in line with NRIC’s wider infrastructure modernisation plans.

The upgrade targets a cross-border section west of Sofia, improving speed and interoperability on the route to Serbia. The line forms part of the EU’s Orient/East-Med Corridor and contributes to Bulgaria’s position as a transit country between Central and Southeastern Europe.

Manfred Zekl, Head of Branch Bulgaria at Hitachi Rail said:

In combination with Hitachi Rail’s previous ERTMS deployments, the Voluyak–Dragoman section helps complete a modernised, interoperable rail corridor linking the Serbian border, Sofia, the Black Sea and the Turkish border – supporting more efficient freight flows and reliable international passenger services across the region.

The project involves the deployment of ETCS Level 1 trackside systems, which continuously monitor train speeds and locations. The technology transmits real-time data to onboard units, enabling automatic braking and providing additional support to train drivers. Integrated with electronic interlockings, the system supports speeds up to 160 km/h and provides an interoperable signalling solution in line with European standards.

Hitachi Rail has worked with NRIC and other Bulgarian authorities on railway projects for more than 25 years. The company maintains offices in Sofia and Plovdiv and has delivered over 250 km of ETCS Level 1 trackside systems, more than 100 ETCS onboard units, electronic interlockings, a Central Traffic Control (CTC) centre, and multiple field elements across Bulgaria. Previous projects include modernisation work on the Plovdiv–Svilengrad, Septemvri–Plovdiv, and Plovdiv–Burgas lines.