София метросының құрылысы және даму тарихы

Rapid transit system in Bulgaria

Planned since the 1960s, construction of the metro started in the 80s with the demolition of a significant number of buildings. At the beginning of the 90s, construction stopped due to a lack of funds and the complexity of the construction work. Being one of the oldest cities in Europe, Sofia contains many historical layers underneath its central areas. Evidence of antiquity can be clearly seen at the Serdika Station, which exhibits a wealth of unearthed Thracian and Roman ruins. During the construction of the enormous complex of the National Palace of Culture, two stations forming part of the M2 line and their connecting tunnels were built. The construction of the system began from the route that sees the highest volume of passenger traffic, reaching 38,000 at rush hour.

On 26 August 2020, the second line was split into two portions: the M2 line, running from Vitosha station to Obelya station and the M4 line, running from Obelya to Sofia Airport. The trains continue to run the length of both lines but on maps and other metro signage the M4 line is gradually being introduced. The split is in preparation to the future construction of the Moderno predgradie station, which is supposed to physically separate the lines and will allow them to have independent timetables.

The long M3 line is planned to connect the Ovcha Kupel neighbourhood (in southwest Sofia) and the Vasil Levski neighbourhood (in northeast Sofia), with 16 stations in total, including two transfer stations in the city centre, with the rest of the already operational lines. The first 8 stations of the line entered service on 26 August 2020, and another 4 on 24 April 2021. The original plan was to have 8 aboveground and 11 underground stations. The project design contract was awarded to the Czech company Metroprojekt Praha a. s.

In March 2014, a tender for construction of the central section of the line was announced. The section is long and includes 7 stations, two of them transfer to lines 1 and 2. With the announcement of the tender, it became clear that the initial plans for 19 stations had been partly amended and 2 of the stations, one at Doyran boulevard and another at Shipka street, will be not be built. The tunnel of the central section shall be excavated by a tunnel boring machine, while the construction of stations shall be awarded to other companies. The construction of the section shall be completed within 45 months. In January 2015, a tender for 20 trains that shall serve the central section of the line was announced. Driverless train operation, with Grade of Automation 3 (GoA 3), and platform screen doors will ensure the safety of the passengers. Unlike lines 1, 2 and 4, where the trains collect power through a third rail, line 3 trains will be equipped with pantographs. CAF and Siemens applied bids in the tender for the trains, with Siemens winning it. In early 2016, construction began on the third metro line of the Sofia Metro using the technology for classic underground metro with high power support. Under construction were all metro stations in the central section, the ones in the west and some in the central east of downtown Sofia. The Krasno selo Hadzhi Dimitar section opened on 26 August 2020, with the extension from Krasno selo to Gorna banya opening on 24 April 2021. The third line of the Sofia Metro is planned to have a total of 23 metro stations, as follows: 16 metro stations for the main line and 6 metro stations for the Slatina branch. Currently, 12 stations of the main line are in operation and 3 stations in Levski are under construction, with their estimated completion being in 2025. Now, another 6 stations are starting construction in the Slatina branch.

The price of a single ticket is 1.60 lev, equivalent to ~0.82 euro. It can be issued either by a cashier, or by a vending machine. When obtained, the single ticket must be validated within 30 minutes at a validator. Pre paid RFID (MIFARE Classic) card also could be bought (at a price of 2 levs) with minimum 10 pre paid rides (at a price of 12 levs for 10 pre paid rides). Daily and monthly cards are also available. Starting on November 1, 2021, one's fare can be paid using a contactless debit or credit card at every station of the network. In addition, passengers will be able to pay using a mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay etc.). The fare will be the same price as a paper ticket (1.60 lev or ~0.82 euro) and the amount you pay per day will max out at 4 levs (or about 2 euro) which is 3 trips (the first and second trips will cost the full 1.60 levs, 3rd will cost 0.80 levs and every trip after will be de facto free). The 4 levs max resets every day at 12 am local time.

The system uses 3 types of rolling stock. The older train sets, type 81 717/714.4, were manufactured by Metrowagonmash in Mytishchi, Moscow Oblast, Russia and consists of 48 carriages in total. They were delivered in 1990 – some 8 years prior to the opening of the first section of the system. In 2020 the first train sets of this type were refurbished to an 81 717/714.4k and went into service. The second generation of rolling stock, type 81 740/741 "Rusich", were also manufactured by Metrowagonmash and delivered between 2005 and 2013, consisting of 120 carriages in total. In July 2023, Škoda Transportation won a contract worth 65 million EUR, to deliver 8 four car air conditioned metro trains, replacing the current Metrowagonmash. The trains are planned to be deployed on the lines 1, 2 and 4. Deliveries are expected in 2026.