Bulgaria is in dire need of new and improved rail safety regulations, especially after an accident that killed two and injured six in January. The country’s ministry of transport has decided to introduce a whole new set of regulations aimed at better monitoring the staff and harsher punishment for violations. As a result, rail accidents between January and April 2025 decreased by 40% compared to the previous four months, from 129 to 74.
Minister Grozdan Karadjov divided the new regulations into three categories: comprehensive safety measures; discipline of railway employees; and other safety measures. The comprehensive safety measures included finding the resources to hire 44 additional safety officers at the Bulgarian Agency for Environmental Protection.
Moreover, the ministry headed by Karadjov compiled the first-ever assessment of the Railway Transport Act, which was approved in 2002. “Apparently, no one has paid attention to this, despite the series of tragic incidents”, the minister lamented in a note. As a result of the assessment, new regulations are currently being prepared to update the Act.
No more running red lights
When it comes to the discipline of railway workers, one of the main issues underlined by the ministry is that many train drivers often run red lights. Karadjov and his cabinet thus decided to enforce stricter regulations since they took over the ministry at the beginning of 2025. Between 25 January and 17 March 2025 there have been four instances of drivers running a red light. “Violators have been punished disciplinaryally – with demotion and even dismissal”. Since then, there have been no more such violations, the ministry claimed.
Cameras everywhere
Other measures to keep workers in check concern the introduction of breathalysers both on the locomotive door and inside the vehicle. In case of positivity, the doors would not open and the locomotive would not start. Karadjov is even introducing scheduled drug tests and random checks. “A database of safety indicators and a system for punishing violators has already been created and will be publicly available” online, Karadjov added.
The so-called ‘other safety measures’ mostly revolve around the deployment of cameras and video surveillance. Cameras have already been installed in over 50 stations and the purchase for 162 more have been announced. Moreover, three locomotives have been equipped with a surveillance system which records audio and video both inside and outside the vehicle. Another 20 locomotives should be adapted as well. Cameras are being installed at unguarded rail crossings as well.
Finally, Karadjov is pushing for the activation of the existing-but-unused GPS system. “the system measures not only the speed and position of the trains, but also the fuel level, how much is loaded and how much has been consumed”, the ministry pointed out. This initiative is part of the deployment of ERTMS, which started in Bulgaria along the Plovdiv-Burgas section.