Hitachi Rail, in partnership with Bulgarian firm CERB, has secured a major contract from Bulgaria’s National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC) to deliver advanced digital signalling on the Voluyak–Dragoman line.
The contract covers the installation of European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 trackside technology and GSM-R communications along the 35 km double-track route between Dragoman and Voluyak, near Sofia. Hitachi Rail will lead the consortium, overseeing the design, delivery, installation, and commissioning of the ETCS Level 1 system. CERB will support local installation and manage the turnkey deployment of the GSM-R mobile communications system.
The 34-month project is a strategic upgrade to a key cross-border corridor west of Sofia, enhancing speed and interoperability on the route to Serbia. It forms part of the EU’s Orient/East-Med Corridor, positioning Bulgaria as a vital transit hub between Central and Southeastern Europe.
“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”
said Manfred Zekl, Head of Branch Bulgaria, Hitachi Rail.
The ETCS Level 1 system being deployed will continuously monitor train speed and movement, transmitting real-time data to onboard units. This enables automatic braking and enhanced driver support, improving safety and operational efficiency. Integrated with electronic interlockings, the system supports speeds of up to 160 km/h and aligns with European interoperability standards.
This project highlights the growing influence of ERTMS across Europe and the strategic importance of cross-border connectivity. With over 25 years of experience in Bulgaria, Hitachi Rail has delivered more than 250 km of ETCS Level 1 trackside systems, over 100 onboard systems, electronic interlockings, a Central Traffic Control (CTC) centre, and numerous field elements. Past projects include the modernisation of the Plovdiv–Svilengrad, Septemvri–Plovdiv, and Plovdiv–Burgas lines.
This latest contract not only strengthens Hitachi Rail’s footprint in Eastern Europe but also serves as a benchmark for collaborative infrastructure delivery and digital signalling excellence—principles that resonate strongly with the UK’s own rail modernisation ambitions.
Image credit: Hitachi
