Sofia Metro
Sofia Metro | |||
---|---|---|---|
Overview | |||
Native name | Софийско метро | ||
Owner | City of Sofia | ||
Locale | Sofia, Bulgaria | ||
Transit type | Rapid transit | ||
Number of lines | 4[1] | ||
Number of stations | 47[1][2] 10 under construction | ||
Daily ridership | 450 000[3] | ||
Annual ridership | 164 million[4] (2023) | ||
Chief executive | Stoyan Bratoev | ||
Website | www | ||
Operation | |||
Began operation | 28 January 1998[1] | ||
Operator(s) | Metropoliten JSC | ||
Number of vehicles | 272 | ||
Technical | |||
System length | 52.0 km (32.3 mi)[1][2] | ||
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
Electrification | 825 V DC from third rail (M1/M2/M4 lines) 1,500 V DC from overhead catenary (M3 line) | ||
Average speed | 40 km/h (25 mph)[5] | ||
Top speed | 80 km/h (50 mph)[5] | ||
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The Sofia Metro (Bulgarian: Софийски метрополитен, romanized: Sofiyski Metropoliten, also colloquially called Bulgarian: Софийско метро, romanized: Sofiysko Metro) is the rapid transit network servicing the Bulgarian capital city Sofia. It is the only metro in Bulgaria. It began operation on 28 January 1998.[1] As of 2024[update], the Sofia Metro consists of four interconnected lines, serving 47 stations, with a total route length of 52.0 kilometres (32.3 mi)[1][6][7][2] and also being among the top 15 of the most extensive European metro systems, ranking 14th as of 2023. The Metro links the densely populated districts of Lyulin – Mladost (M1 line – Red) and Nadezhda – Lozenets (M2 line – Blue), and serves the Sofia Airport.[8][9]
History
[edit]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.[10]
Lines
[edit]Due to an increased population, there are a large number of passengers heading toward the city center during weekday mornings, and away from the city centre in the weekday evenings. The necessity of efficient public transport in the direction of the largest passenger flows, transport, and Sofia's environmental problems precipitated the start of the construction of the Sofia Metro. Following the ratification of a technical and economic report on the metro by the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria, and the subsequently approved General City Plan, the general scheme for the development of the lines should consist of three diameters with extensions in the periphery, with a total length of 72.5 kilometres (45.0 mi), 75 metro stations, and a 1.1 million daily passenger capacity at the final stage of implementation.[11]
Line | Icon | Opened | Current length (km [mi]) |
Current stations | U/C[a] length (km [mi]) |
U/C[a] stations | Planned length (km [mi]) |
Planned stations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M1 | 1998 | 17.6 (10.9) | 16 | 0 (0.0) | 0 | 19.3 (12.0) | 19[citation needed] | |
M2 | 2012 | 11.7 (7.3) | 13 | 0 (0.0) | 1 | 14.5 (9.0) | 16[citation needed] | |
M3 | 2020 | 11.2 (7.0) | 12 | 2.8 (1.7) | 3 | 14.0 (8.7) | 15[citation needed] | |
M4 | 2020 | 23.0 (14.3) | 20 | 0 (0.0) | 1 | 22.1 (13.7) | 20[citation needed] | |
M5 | Future | 0 (0.0) | 0 | 0 (0.0) | 0 | 16.0 (9.9) | 17[citation needed] | |
M6 | Future | 0 (0.0) | 0 | 5.5 (3.4) | 6 | 16.8 (10.4) | 15[citation needed] | |
Total: | 48.4 (30.1) | 47 | 8.3 (5.2) | 10 | 72.5 (45.0) | 75[citation needed] |
M1 line (Red)
[edit]The first 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) long section of M1 line consisting of five stations linking Slivnitsa Boulevard through Lyulin and K. Velichkov Boulevard was inaugurated on 28 January 1998. Opalchenska station entered into service on 17 September 1999 and Serdika station situated on St Nedelya Square followed on 31 October 2000, extending the total system length to 8.1 kilometres (5.0 mi). The operational section of the line was further extended with a 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) long section, reaching Obelya housing estate in April 2003.
The extension of M1 line continued in 2005 with the start of the construction of 4.8 kilometres (3.0 mi) of tunnels and three stations linking St Nedelya Square and the Interped World Trade Center in Izgrev (station Frédéric Joliot-Curie). 2006 saw the start of the construction of another section of the same line (consisting of 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) of tunnels and three stations) linking Izgrev and Mladost I housing estate. The completion of the first three stations was projected for the autumn of 2007, however as a result of various delays it was the second section from the first line (Vasil Levski stadium – Mladost 1) that first entered into service on 8 May 2009, operating for a brief period of time separately from the north-west portion of the line. The remaining section between Serdika and Vasil Levski stadium station finally entered into service on 7 September 2009[12] establishing an uninterrupted link between Obelya and Mladost 1 stations.
The construction of the section from Mladost I to Business Park Sofia station (2.62 kilometres (1.63 mi), with three new underground stations) began on 25 April 2013, and was completed on 8 May 2015.[7][13] It cost BGN 85,767,683 (EUR 43,852,320), VAT exclusive, and serves the majority of the second most densely populated area in Sofia.[14][15] Part of the sections of "Sofia Airport" - "Iskarsko Shose" and, Ovcha kupel" -, Krasno selo" are not underground.
Station | Image | In service since | Exits | Intermodality | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Struma (Струма) | proposed | near Lyulin 3 housing estate, on Sofia Ring Road[16] | |||
Tsaritsa Yoanna (Царица Йоанна) | proposed | near Lyulin 2 housing estate[16] | |||
Slivnitsa
(Сливница) |
28 January 1998 | 4 |
first station of the section, shared with M4 |
On the intersection of Slivnitsa Blvd and Pancho Vladigerov Blvd | |
Lyulin
(Люлин) |
On Tsaritsa Yoanna Blvd in Lyulin | ||||
Zapaden Park
(Западен парк) |
8 | On the intersection of Tsaritsa Yoanna Blvd and Dr. Petar Dertliev Blvd | |||
Vardar
(Вардар) |
6 | On the intersection of Tsaritsa Yoanna Blvd and Vardar Blvd | |||
Konstantin Velichkov
(Константин Величков) |
3 | On the intersection of Todor Aleksandrov Blvd and Konstantin Velichkov Blvd | |||
Opalchenska
(Опълченска) |
17 September 1999 | 6 | On the intersection of Todor Aleksandrov Blvd and Opalchenska St | ||
Serdica
(Сердика) |
31 October 2000 | 12 | On the Intersection of Todor Aleksandrov Blvd and Knyaginya Maria Luisa Blvd | ||
Sofia University Sveti Kliment Ohridski
(СУ „Св. Климент Охридски“) |
7 September 2009 | 13 | On Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd in front of Sofia University | ||
Vasil Levski Stadium
(Стадион „Васил Левски“) |
8 May 2009 | 2 | In the north-eastern tip of Borisova gradina park, near the Vasil Levski National Stadium | ||
Frédéric Joliot-Curie
(Фр. Жолио Кюри) |
Yug Bus Station | On Dragan Tsankov Blvd in Iztok | |||
G.M.Dimitrov
(Г.М.Димитров) |
4 | On the intersection of doctor Georgi Mihov Dimitrov Blvd and Dragan Tsankov Blvd | |||
Musagenitsa
(Мусагеница) |
1 | On the western end of the Prof. Marko Semov Blvd bridge | |||
Mladost I
(Младост I) |
5 |
last station of the section, shared with M4 |
On the intersection of Jerusalem St and Andrey Sakharov Blvd | ||
Aleksandar Malinov
(Александър Малинов) |
8 May 2015 | 6 | On the intersection of Aleksandrov Malinov Blvd and Andrey Lyapchev Blvd in Mladost II and Mladost III | ||
Akad. Aleksandar Teodorov-Balan
(Акад. Александър Теодоров-Балан) |
On the intersection of Aleksandrov Malinov Blvd and Dr. Atanas Moskov str. in Mladost II and Mladost III | ||||
Business Park
(Бизнес Парк) |
4 | Park and ride facility | On Aleksandar Malinov Blvd, adjacent to Business Park Sofia in Mladost IV |
M2 and M4 lines (Blue/Yellow)
[edit]M2 and M4 lines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The second and fourth lines of the Sofia Metro links the districts of Obelya, Nadezhda, the city centre and Lozenets to the south of the city.[17] Half of the construction cost was covered by the European Union, with the remaining part funded by the state and city budgets.[17] Construction of the 6.4 km (4.0 mi) section between Nadezhda interchange and Lozenets district via Central railway station and the National Palace of Culture started on 14 December 2008. Work on the section between Obelya residential District and Nadezhda started in February 2010. Both sections of the line entered into service on 31 August 2012.[17]
NDK and European Union stations and their connecting tunnels were partly completed during the construction of the National Palace of Culture and the redevelopment of the surrounding area in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The construction of Mladost 3 and Inter Expo Center – Tsarigradsko shose stations began on 15 February 2009 and was completed on 25 April 2012. The further extension to Sofia Airport comprising two underground and two overground stations and a length of 4.968 kilometres (3.087 mi) began in 2013,[13][18][19][20] and was completed on 2 April 2015 at the cost of BGN 136,757,630 (EUR 69,923,066), VAT exclusive.[8][9] This extension was briefly operated as a branch of M1 line, but was soon[when?] transferred to M2 line, moving that line's terminus from Obelya to Sofia Airport.
On 20 July 2016, the line was extended southward with 1.3 km (0.81 mi) and one station, Vitosha, located at Hladilnika neighbourhood.[2] The construction took 2 years.
Provisions have been made for the construction of future branch to Iliyantsi, starting from the existing junction located between Knyaginya Maria Luiza and Han Kubrat stations.
Splitting the line to M2 and M4
[edit]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 Pancho Vladigerov station, which is supposed to physically separate the lines and will allow them to have independent timetables.
M2 line
[edit]Station | Image | Opened | Exits | Intermodality | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Obelya
(Обеля) |
20 April 2003 | 2 | Trains arriving from Vitosha station continue as M4 trains to Sofia Airport. Trains, arriving as M4 trains from Sofia Airport continue as M2 trains to Vitosha. Previously operated by Line 1 | In Obelya over the Kakach river | |
Lomsko shose
(Ломско шосе) |
31 August 2012 | 4 | On Lomsko shose Blvd in Vrabnitsa | ||
Beli Dunav
(Бели Дунав) |
Park and ride facility | On Lomsko shose Blvd and Beli Dunav St, between Nadezhda and Vrabnitsa | |||
Nadezhda
(Надежда) |
2 | On Lomsko shose Blvd, between Nadezhda I and Nadezhda II | |||
Han Kubrat
(Хан Кубрат) |
4 | On Lomsko shose, north of Nadezhda Overpass in Triagalnika | |||
Knyaginya Maria Luiza
(Княгиня Мария Луиза) |
On Knyaginya Maria Luisa Blvd, south of Nadezhda Overpass in Banishora | ||||
Central Railway Station
(Централна ж.п. гара) |
15 | BDZ trains, Intercity and international buses | On Knyaginya Maria Luisa Blvd, in front of Sofia Central Station and Central Bus Station Sofia | ||
Lavov Most
(Лъвов мост) |
4 | On Knyaginya Maria Luisa Blvd, north of Lavov Most | |||
Serdica II
(Сердика II) |
12 | On Knyaginya Maria Luisa Blvd, in front of Central Hali | |||
National Palace of Culture
(Национален дворец на културата) |
11 | In the northern end of the park of the National Palace of Culture | |||
European Union
(Европейски съюз)[21] |
6 | On Cherni vrah Blvd, near Earth and Man National Museum and City Center Sofia | |||
James Bourchier
(Джеймс Баучер) |
4 | On James Bourchier Blvd in Lozenets | |||
Vitosha
(Витоша) |
20 July 2016 | 6 | On Cherni vrah Blvd, near Paradise Center in Hladilnika | ||
Cherni vrah (Черни връх) | planned | Heading south, M5 diverges from M2 after this station. | On Cherni vrah Blvd, between Prof. Marin Goleminov St and Dimitar Manchev St | ||
Dragalevtsi (Драгалевци) | On Sofia Ring Road's interchange with Cherni vrah Blvd |
M4 line
[edit]Station | Image | Opened | Exits | Intermodality | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Obelya
(Обеля) |
20 April 2003 | 2 | Trains arriving from Vitosha station continue as M4 trains to Sofia Airport. Trains, arriving as M4 trains from Sofia Airport continue as M2 trains to Vitosha. Previously operated by Line 1 | In Obelya over the Kakach river | |
Pancho Vladigerov
(Панчо Владигеров) |
under construction | 2 | On this station, M2 and M4 will terminate. | Beneath the National Rail and near Obelya Depot | |
Slivnitsa – Mladost I section shared with M1 | See line | ||||
Mladost III
(Младост III) |
25 April 2012 | 4 | At the end of Andrej Sakharov Blvd, intersecting with Resen street and General Radko Dimitriev street. | ||
Inter Expo Center – Tsarigradsko shose
(Интер Експо Център – Цариградско шосе) |
Park and ride facility | On Tsarigradsko shose near Inter Expo Center with a tunnel exit in Druzhba II | |||
Druzhba
(Дружба) |
2 April 2015 | 7 | Between Prof. Tsvetan Lazarov Blvd and Kapitan Dimitar Spisarevski St | ||
Iskarsko shose
(Искърско шосе) |
6 | BDZ trains on Iskarsko shose Railway station | On the intersection of Iskarsko shose Blvd and Krastyo Pastuhov Blvd | ||
Sofiyska Sveta Gora
(Софийска Света гора) |
2 | In Iskar Industrial zone | |||
Sofia Airport
(Летище София) |
1 | Sofia Airport, Terminal 2 | The Departures gate of Sofia Airport, Terminal 2 |
M5 line (planned)
[edit]M5 is a planned line, servicing Studentski grad and Iliyantsi. This line would share more than half of M2's stations.
The Studentski grad branch would start from Cherni vrah Blvd, passing through Vitosha quarter and finally, enter Studentski grad. The Iliyantsi branch would start after Maria Luiza station, joining in on Iliyantsi Blvd, and have 4 stations on it.
Recently, a route has been planned for the Studentski grad branch, including 5 stations with one of them being shared with M2.
Station | Image | Opened | Intermodality | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
Iliyantsi (Илиянци) | planned | will be servicing Iliyantsi housing estate | ||
Rozhen (Рожен) | will be servicing area near Iliyantsi shopping center | |||
Svoboda (Свобода) | will be servicing the Svoboda housing estate | |||
Tolstoy (Толстой) | will be servicing the Tolstoy housing estate | |||
Maria Luiza - Cherni vrah section shared with M2 | See line | |||
Cherni Vrah (Черни Връх) | planned | Shared station between M2 and M5. Heading south, M5 diverges from M2 after this station. | On Cherni vrah Blvd, between its intersections with Prof. Marin Goleminov St and Dimitar Manchev St | |
Stefan Savov (Стефан Савов) | Near Stefan Savov St and Prof. Georgi Manev St | |||
Simeonovsko shose (Симеоновско шосе) | On Prof Ivan Stransky St, near its intersection with Simeonovsko shose Blvd | |||
NSA (НСА) | On Akad. Stefan Mladenov St, near its intersection with Prof. Atanas Ishirkov St | |||
Sudentski Grad (Студентски Град) | On Akad. Stefan Mladenov St, between its intersections with 8-mi dekemvri St and Iordan Iosifov St |
M3 line (Green)
[edit]Line 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 16 km (9.9 mi) 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.[22]
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.[23][24][25]
In March 2014, a tender for construction of the central section of the line was announced. The section is 7 km (4.3 mi) 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.[26] 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.[27][28] CAF and Siemens applied bids in the tender for the trains,[29] with Siemens winning it.[30]
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.[31][32][33] 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.
Main Line (M3)
[edit]Station | Image | Opened | Exits | Intermodality | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hemus
(Хемус) |
under construction | 4 | Near the intersection of Vladimir Vazov Blvd and Pop Gruyu St | ||
Vladimir Vazov
(Владимир Вазов) |
3 | Near the intersection of Vladimir Vazov Blvd and Vitinya St | |||
Georgi Asparuhov Stadium
(Стадион „Георги Аспарухов") |
At Georgi Asparuhov Stadium, near the intersection of Vladimir Vazov Blvd and Vasil Kanchev St | ||||
Hadzhi Dimitar
(Хаджи Димитър) |
26 August 2020[34] | 2 | Poduyane Bus Station | On the intersection of Gen. Vladimir Vazov Blvd and Todorini kukli St in Hadzhi Dimitar | |
Teatralna
(Театрална) |
near Poduyane Railway Station | On the intersection of Evlogi i Hristo Georgievi Blvd and Madrid Blvd, near Zaimov park | |||
Orlov Most
(Орлов мост) |
13 |
Future M6 line, heading east, diverges from M3 after this station.|| In Knyazheska gradina park. The station is connected with Sofia University Sveti Kliement Ohridski station | |||
Sveti Patriarh Evtimiy
(Св. Патриарх Евтимий) |
3 | On Patriarh Evtimiy Sq | |||
National Palace of Culture II
(Национален дворец на културата II) |
11 | On the intersection of Patriarh Evtimiy Blvd and Vitosha Blvd | |||
Medical University
(Медицински университет) |
5 | On the intersection of Praha Blvd and Georgi Sofiyski St | |||
Bulgaria
(България) |
7 | On the intersection of Bulgaria Blvd and Akad. I. E. Geshov Blvd | |||
Krasno Selo
(Красно Село) |
4 | On the intersection of Tsar Boris III Blvd and Zhitnitsa St | |||
Ovcha Kupel (Овча купел) | 24 April 2021[35] | 5 | On the intersection of Ovcha Kupel Blvd and President Lincoln Blvd | ||
Moesia/NBU (Мизия/НБУ) | 6 | At Montevideo St near the 21st Diagonosis Consult Centre, not far from New Bulgarian University | |||
Ovcha Kupel II (Овча купел II) | 2 | On the intersection of Tsentralna St and Zhiul Losho | |||
Gorna Banya (Горна баня) | 4 | Park and ride facility
BDZ trains on railway line №5 |
On the intersection of Sofia Ring Road (Boycho Boychev St) and President Lincoln Blvd |
M6 branch to Slatina
[edit]Station | Image | Opened | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Sitnyakovo (Ситняково) | under construction | On Geo Milev St at its intersection with Sitnyakovo Blvd, servicing Oborishte and Yavorov housing estates | |
Geo Milev (Гео Милев) | On Geo Milev St at its intersection with Nikolai Kopernik St, servicing Geo Milev and Reduta housing estates | ||
Slatina (Слатина) | On Geo Milev St at its intersection with Slatinska St, servicing Slatina and Hristo Smirnenski housing estates | ||
Shipchenski Prohod (Шипченски проход) | On Shipchenski Prohod Blvd before its intersection with Asen Iordanov Blvd, servicing the area near "CSKA Cherveno Zname" sports center | ||
Arena Sofia (Арена София) | On Asen Yordanov Blvd near Arena Sofia and Sofia Tech Park | ||
Trakiya (Тракия) | On the frontage road of Tsarigradsko shose Blvd after its intersection with Dimitar Mollov St, servicing Mladost 1 and Poligona housing estates and The Mall (Sofia) |
Fares and ticketing
[edit]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.[36]
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.
Rolling stock
[edit]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.[37]
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.[17]
The third generation of rolling stock, Siemens Inspiro 30 three-car sets were delivered between 2016 and 2021 and exclusively serve the M3 line.[38]
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.[39] [40]
-
An 81-740/741 Rusich train at Serdika station
-
A Siemens Inspiro train on line 3 at NDK-2 station
Ridership
[edit]Year | Passengers per day | Change | Stations |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | 10,000[41] | N/A | 5 |
1999 | 40,000[citation needed] | 300.0 | 6 |
2000 | 70,000[41] | 75.0 | 7 |
2001 | 80,000[citation needed] | 14.2 | |
2002 | 90,000[42] | 12.5 | |
2003 | 80,000[10] | 12.5 | 8 |
2004 | 75,000[citation needed] | 6.6 | |
2005 | 70,000[43] | 7.1 | |
2006 | 80,000[citation needed] | 14.2 | |
2007 | 90,000[44] | 12.5 | |
2008 | 76,000[45] | 18.4 | |
2009 | 201,000[46] | 164.5 | 14 |
2010 | 187,000[47] | 7.4 | |
2011 | 190,000[48] | 1.6 | 14 |
2012 | 350,000[49] | 84.2 | 27 |
2013 | 280,000[50] | 25.0 | |
2014 | 320,000[50] | 14.3 | |
2015 | 335,000[51] | 4.7 | 34 |
2016 | 350,000[51](estimated) | 4.5 | 35 |
2017 | 350,000[3] | 0.0 | |
2018 | |||
2019 | |||
2020 | 200,000
[52](estimated) |
75.0 | 43 |
2021 | 47 | ||
2022 | 340,000[53] | 70.0 | 47 |
2023 | 450,000 | 60.0 | 47 |
Network Map
[edit]
See also
[edit]- Trams in Sofia
- Trolleybuses in Sofia
- Public buses in Sofia
- Sofia Public Transport
- List of metro systems
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "General Info about Sofia Metro". MetroSofia.com. 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Sofia subway launches 1.3 km section with one station". See News. 20 July 2016.
- ^ a b "До 2020 г. в София ще има близо 50 км метротрасе" (PDF). 4 February 2019.
- ^ "STATICAL YEARBOOK 2022" (pdf). 18 March 2022. p. 370.
- ^ a b "Открит е нов участък от софийското метро – МС "Цариградско шосе" – МС "Летище София" (in Bulgarian). Метрополитен София. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Председателят на комисията Жозе Мануел Барозу ще пререже лентата на втория лъч на подземната железница" [We want the [European Commission (EC)] 800 million for the third metro line] (in Bulgarian). Строител. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
- ^ a b "Subway Extension to Business Park Sofia Opens". Novinite. 8 May 2015.
- ^ a b "Subway Trains to Sofia Airport Start Running at 1 pm on April 2". novinite.com. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- ^ a b "Sofia airport metro link opens". Railway Gazette International. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- ^ a b "Metropolitan Sofia – General Information".
- ^ "Metropolitan Sofia – General Scheme". Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ "Sofia Metro links east and west Sofia suburbs". The Sofia Echo. 7 September 2009.
- ^ a b Stoyanov, Assen (2 March 2015). "Testing begins on Sofia metro extensions". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ Public Procurement Agency Portal – L1 S. Branch Construction
- ^ Public Procurement Agency Portal – L1 S. Branch Supervision
- ^ a b "Обява до заинтересованите лица и общественост". 23 August 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Free rides celebrate opening of Sofia metro Line 2". Railway Gazette International. 31 August 2012.
- ^ Public Procurement Agency Portal – L1 N. Branch Construction Positions 1 & 2
- ^ Public Procurement Agency Portal – L1 N. Branch Construction Position 3
- ^ Public Procurement Agency Portal – L1 N. Branch Supervision
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "When will the Third Sofia Metro Line be Launched? – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency". novinite.com.
- ^ O.P. Transport: Third Metro Diameter Archived 20 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine (in Bulgarian) BNT, 29 November 2011. Retrieved 30 Sep 2012.
- ^ Metroprojekt – History (2011–Future) Archived 30 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine Metroprojekt.cz – Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ^ METRORAIL 2013 Presentation Archived 30 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine Metroprojekt.cz
- ^ "ОБЯВЛЕНИЕ ЗА ПОРЪЧКА" (in Bulgarian). metropoliten via AOP.
- ^ "Кметът на гр. София провери напредъка в изпълнението на участък "Младост 1 – бул. Цариградско шосе"" (in Bulgarian). Metropoliten. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ "Третият лъч на метрото зад стъкло срещу инциденти" (in Bulgarian). Trud Newspapers. 14 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ^ "CAF and Siemens compete for Sofia metro deal". think-railways.com. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- ^ ""Метрополитен" избра "Сименс" за влаковете по трети метродиаметър" (in Bulgarian). infrastructure.bg. 22 August 2015.
- ^ "Метрото за "Слатина" ще тръгва от "Орлов мост" и ще стига до The Mall".
- ^ "Разклонението на третия метролъч ще тръгва от "Орлов мост" и ще стига до The Mall". capital.bg.
- ^ "243 млн. лв. за строителство на 12 метростанции и 12 километра трасе през 2017 г."
- ^ "Откриват третата линия на столичното метро на 26 август". Economy.bg (in Bulgarian).
- ^ "Официално: Пуснаха метрото до "Овча Купел" и "Горна баня" (снимки)". Dnes.dir.bg. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
- ^ "Information for citizens". Metropolitan. Archived from the original on 30 August 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ "Stolica.bg – Обновени и модерни метровлакове тръгват през март по линии 1 и 2".
- ^ "Newag and Siemens present first Sofia Line 3 metro train". Railway Gazette International.
- ^ "Railway News – Bulgaria: Sofia Buys Metro Trains from Škoda".
- ^ "Сбогом, руски метровлакове: Skoda и Siemens ще доставят новите за 318 млн. лв".
- ^ a b Стоян Братоев Софийски метрополитен. – София: Нота Бене, 2004. – p. 61 – ISBN 954-91420-1-9
- ^ Стоян Братоев Софийски метрополитен. – София: Нота Бене, 2004. – p. 14 – ISBN 954-91420-1-9
- ^ "Метрото ще вози милион пътници". Standart. 18 July 2005.
- ^ "Паркинги на три етажа в метрото". fakti.bg. 30 March 2007.
- ^ "Намаляват пътниците в градския транспорт". money.bg. 18 February 2009.
- ^ "Столичното метро постави рекорд – 201 хиляди пътници за един ден". BNT. 21 December 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Колата измести градския транспорт". monitor.bg. 24 April 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014.
- ^ "400 хиляди пътници на ден ще пътуват с метро от 2012 година". TV7. 19 June 2011. Archived from the original on 3 August 2013.
- ^ "Между 15 и 20% от стойността на метрото са за системите за управление". stroitelstvo.info. 3 December 2012. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Столичното метро ще се движи на по-чести интервали от април". actualno.com.
- ^ a b "New Sofia Metro Station Opens, Adding 15 000 Passengers – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency". novinite.com.
- ^ Due to Covid 19
- ^ "Operating metro - Metropolitan Sofia". www.metropolitan.bg. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
External links
[edit]- Sofia Metro – Official Web Site
- MetroSofia.com (in English)
- Interactive Sofia Metro Map
- Sofia metro @ urbanrail.net
- Metrovagonmash OAO – Information about the rolling stock
- Metro @ public-transport.net
- Unofficial Sofia tube map inspired by London's one, designed for foreign visitors
- Sofia Metro – quick info and maps
- Sofia Metro Map