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Sofia Metro

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Not to be confused with Sofia metro station.

Sofia Metro
Krasno Selo Metro Station, 26 August 2020
Krasno Selo Metro Station, 26 August 2020
Overview
Native nameСофийско метро
OwnerCity of Sofia
LocaleSofia, Bulgaria
Transit typeRapid transit
Number of lines4[1]
Number of stations47[1][2]
10 under construction
Daily ridership450 000[3]
Annual ridership64 million[4] (2021)
Chief executiveStoyan Bratoev
Websitewww.metropolitan.bg
Operation
Began operation28 January 1998 (1998-01-28)[1]
Operator(s)Metropoliten JSC
Number of vehicles272
Technical
System length52.0 km (32.3 mi)[1][2]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification825 V DC from third rail (M1/M2/M4 lines)
1,500 V DC from overhead catenary (M3 line)
Average speed40 km/h (25 mph)[5]
Top speed80 km/h (50 mph)[5]
System map

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, 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]
  1. ^ a b under construction

M1 line (Red)

[edit]
M1 line
All stations are wheelchair accessible
Legend
4 To Obelya
Obelya Depot
Slivnitsa
Bus interchange
 Lyulin
Tram interchange
 Zapaden Park
Tram interchange
Suhodolska River
 Vardar
Tram interchange
 Konstantin Velichkov
Tram interchange
Vladayska River
 Opalchenska
SerdikaSerdika II Metro Station2
SU St. Kliment OhridskiOrlov Most Metro Station3
Perlovska River
 Vasil Levski Stadium
Tram interchange
 Joliot-Curie
Tram interchange
Novachitsa River
 G.M.Dimitrov
Bus interchange
 Musagenitsa
Darvenishka River
 Mladost 1
Trolleybus
 4 To Sofia Airport
Aleksandar Malinov
Akademik Aleksandar
Teodorov - Balan
Banishka River
 Business Park Sofia
Mladost 6
Simeonovo
Station names in italics
are not confirmed.
Detailed track map
 Down arrow 1 – 4 Up arrow
to Depot
 
↓Opened 1998↓
0'
 Slivnitsa
2'
 Lyulin
4'
 Zapaden Park
Suhodolska
National Rail
to Pernik-Kulata/Kyustendil
7'
 Vardar
9'
 Konstantin Velichkov
 
↓Opened 1999↓
Vladayska
11'
 Opalchenska
 
↓Opened 2000↓
13'
 Serdika Bulbank parking
Serdika II
2
 
↓Opened 2009↓
15'
Orlov Most
3
Perlovska
17'
 Vasil Levski Stadium Stadium parking
21'
 Joliot-Curie Interpred parking
WTC
Novachitsa
23'
 G.M.Dimitrov
24'
 Musagenitsa
Darvenishka
26'
 Mladost 1
00'
4 to Sofia Airport
00'
 
↓Opened 2012↓
 
29'
 Mladost 3
31'
Parking
 
↓Opened 2015↓
33'
 Druzhba
36'
 Iskarsko shose Train station parking Mainline rail interchange
National Rail
to Ihtiman/Karlovo
38'
 Sofiyska Sveta gora
40'
 Sofia Airport Airport parking Sofia Airport
Terminal 2
Airport branch end
00'
 
↓Opened 2015↓
 
28'
 Aleksandar Malinov
30'
Banishka
32'
 Business Park Sofia Parking
Mladost branch end

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
All stations are wheelchair accessible
Legend
Obelya
Lomsko shose
Up arrow cont. as 2
Mainline rail interchange
Pancho Vladigerov
(under construction)
Down arrow cont. as 4
1 Slivnitsa
Beli Dunav
Lyulin
Nadezhda
Zapaden Park
Han Kubrat
Vardar
Knyaginya Maria Luiza
Konstantin Velichkov
Central Railway Mainline rail interchange
Opalchenska
Lavov most
↖Serdika↘
↙Serdika II↗
3NDK II Metro StationNDK
SU St. Kliment OhridskiOrlov Most Metro Station3
European Union
Vasil Levski Stadium
James Bourchier
Joliot-Curie
Vitosha
G.M.Dimitrov
2 To Dragalevtsi
Musagenitsa
Mladost 1
1 To Business park
Mladost 3
Inter Expo Center –
Tsarigradsko shose
 Druzhba
Iskarsko shose Mainline rail interchange
Sofiyska Sveta gora
Sofia Airport Sofia Airport
Station names in italics
are not confirmed.
Detailed track map
Line end
-8'
 Vitosha Paradise Mall parking
 
↑Opened 2016↑
-6'
 James Bourchier Parking
-4'
 European Union CCS Mall parking
built 1981
opened 2012
Perlovska
-2'
 NDK NDK parking
built 1981
opened 2012
NDK II
3
 
Serdika Bulbank parking
1 and 4
0'
 Serdika II
Vladayska
2'
 Lavov most
3'
 Central Railway Station
Parking Sofia Central Station Central Bus Station Sofia
5'
 Knyaginya Maria Luiza
BDŽ National Rail
to Pernik-Kulata/Kyustendil
BDŽ National Rail
to Dragoman/Radomir/Bankya
00'
Future extension
00'
M5 Ilyantsi branch
Lev Tolstoy
Svoboda
Iliyansko shose
Ilyantsi Parking
Ilyantsi branch end
7'
 Han Kubrat
Suhodolska
9'
 Nadezhda
11'
 Beli Dunav Parking
13'
 Lomsko shose
↑Opened 2012↑
 
15'
 Obelya Open-air parking Public buses in Sofia
Kakach
Pancho Vladigerov Mainline rail interchange
(under construction)
National Rail
to Dragoman/Radomir/Bankya
 
↑Opened 2003↑
 Down arrow RED line
to Depot
 
↓Opened 1998↓
-13'
 Slivnitsa
-11'
 Lyulin
-8'
 Zapaden Park
Suhodolska
National Rail
to Pernik-Kulata/Kyustendil
-6'
 Vardar
-4'
 Konstantin Velichkov
 
↓Opened 1999↓
Vladayska
-2'
 Opalchenska
 
↓Opened 2000↓
0'
 Serdika Bulbank parking
Serdika II
2
 
↓Opened 2009↓
3'
Orlov Most
3
Perlovska
5'
 Vasil Levski Stadium Stadium parking
8'
 Joliot-Curie Interpred parking
WTC
Novachitsa
10'
 G.M.Dimitrov
12'
 Musagenitsa
Darvenishka
14'
 Mladost 1
00'
1 to Business Park
 
↓Opened 2015↓
 
16'
 Aleksandar Malinov
18'
Banishka
20'
 Business Park Sofia Parking
Mladost branch end
00'
 
↓Opened 2012↓
 
16'
 Mladost 3
18'
Parking
 
↓Opened 2015↓
20'
 Druzhba
23'
 Iskarsko shose Train station parking Mainline rail interchange
National Rail
to Ihtiman/Karlovo
25'
 Sofiyska Sveta gora
27'
 Sofia Airport Airport parking Sofia Airport
Terminal 2
Airport branch end

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
Legend
 Gorna Banya
Ovcha Kupel II
Moesia
Ovcha kupel Tram interchange
Vladayska River
 Zemlyane Depot
Krasno Selo Tram interchange
Boyanska River
 Bulgaria
Medical University
NDK II NDK Metro Station 2
St. Patriarch Evtimiy
Orlov Most SU St. Kliment Ohridski Metro Station 1 4
Perlovska River
 Teatralna Tram interchange
Hadzhi Dimitar
Georgi Asparuhov Stadium
Vladimir Vazov
Hemus
Detailed track map
Line end
Gorna Banya Mainline rail interchange
Ovcha Kupel II
Moesia
Ovcha kupel
Vladayska
to Zemlyane Depot
Krasno Selo
Bulgaria
Medical University
NDK II
NDK
2
St. Patriarch Evtimiy
SU St. Kliment Ohridski
1 and 4
Orlov Most
Perlovska
Teatralna
National Rail
to Ihtiman/Karlovo
Perlovska
Hadzhi Dimitar
Line end

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

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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

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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

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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]

Ridership

[edit]
Sofia Metro ridership
Year Passengers per day Change Stations
1998 10,000[41] Steady N/A 5
1999 40,000[citation needed] Increase300.0 6
2000 70,000[41] Increase75.0 7
2001 80,000[citation needed] Increase14.2
2002 90,000[42] Increase12.5
2003 80,000[10] Decrease12.5 8
2004 75,000[citation needed] Decrease6.6
2005 70,000[43] Decrease7.1
2006 80,000[citation needed] Increase14.2
2007 90,000[44] Increase12.5
2008 76,000[45] Decrease18.4
2009 201,000[46] Increase164.5 14
2010 187,000[47] Decrease7.4
2011 190,000[48] Increase1.6 14
2012 350,000[49] Increase84.2 27
2013 280,000[50] Decrease25.0
2014 320,000[50] Increase14.3
2015 335,000[51] Increase4.7 34
2016 350,000[51](estimated) Increase4.5 35
2017 350,000[3] Steady0.0
2018
2019
2020 200,000

[52](estimated)

Decrease75.0 43
2021 47
2022 340,000[53] Increase70.0 47
2023 450,000 Increase60.0 47

Network Map

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Map


See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "General Info about Sofia Metro". MetroSofia.com. 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d "Sofia subway launches 1.3 km section with one station". See News. 20 July 2016.
  3. ^ a b "До 2020 г. в София ще има близо 50 км метротрасе" (PDF). 4 February 2019.
  4. ^ "STATICAL YEARBOOK 2022" (pdf). 18 March 2022. p. 370.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ a b "Subway Extension to Business Park Sofia Opens". Novinite. 8 May 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Subway Trains to Sofia Airport Start Running at 1 pm on April 2". novinite.com. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  9. ^ a b "Sofia airport metro link opens". Railway Gazette International. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Metropolitan Sofia – General Information".
  11. ^ "Metropolitan Sofia – General Scheme". Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  12. ^ "Sofia Metro links east and west Sofia suburbs". The Sofia Echo. 7 September 2009.
  13. ^ a b Stoyanov, Assen (2 March 2015). "Testing begins on Sofia metro extensions". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  14. ^ Public Procurement Agency Portal – L1 S. Branch Construction
  15. ^ Public Procurement Agency Portal – L1 S. Branch Supervision
  16. ^ a b "Обява до заинтересованите лица и общественост". 23 August 2019.
  17. ^ a b c d "Free rides celebrate opening of Sofia metro Line 2". Railway Gazette International. 31 August 2012.
  18. ^ Public Procurement Agency Portal – L1 N. Branch Construction Positions 1 & 2
  19. ^ Public Procurement Agency Portal – L1 N. Branch Construction Position 3
  20. ^ Public Procurement Agency Portal – L1 N. Branch Supervision
  21. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. ^ "When will the Third Sofia Metro Line be Launched? – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency". novinite.com.
  23. ^ O.P. Transport: Third Metro Diameter Archived 20 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine (in Bulgarian) BNT, 29 November 2011. Retrieved 30 Sep 2012.
  24. ^ Metroprojekt – History (2011–Future) Archived 30 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine Metroprojekt.cz – Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  25. ^ METRORAIL 2013 Presentation Archived 30 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine Metroprojekt.cz
  26. ^ "ОБЯВЛЕНИЕ ЗА ПОРЪЧКА" (in Bulgarian). metropoliten via AOP.
  27. ^ "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.
  28. ^ "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.
  29. ^ "CAF and Siemens compete for Sofia metro deal". think-railways.com. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  30. ^ ""Метрополитен" избра "Сименс" за влаковете по трети метродиаметър" (in Bulgarian). infrastructure.bg. 22 August 2015.
  31. ^ "Метрото за "Слатина" ще тръгва от "Орлов мост" и ще стига до The Mall".
  32. ^ "Разклонението на третия метролъч ще тръгва от "Орлов мост" и ще стига до The Mall". capital.bg.
  33. ^ "243 млн. лв. за строителство на 12 метростанции и 12 километра трасе през 2017 г."
  34. ^ "Откриват третата линия на столичното метро на 26 август". Economy.bg (in Bulgarian).
  35. ^ "Официално: Пуснаха метрото до "Овча Купел" и "Горна баня" (снимки)". Dnes.dir.bg. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  36. ^ "Information for citizens". Metropolitan. Archived from the original on 30 August 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  37. ^ "Stolica.bg – Обновени и модерни метровлакове тръгват през март по линии 1 и 2".
  38. ^ "Newag and Siemens present first Sofia Line 3 metro train". Railway Gazette International.
  39. ^ "Railway News – Bulgaria: Sofia Buys Metro Trains from Škoda".
  40. ^ "Сбогом, руски метровлакове: Skoda и Siemens ще доставят новите за 318 млн. лв".
  41. ^ a b Стоян Братоев Софийски метрополитен. – София: Нота Бене, 2004. – p. 61 – ISBN 954-91420-1-9
  42. ^ Стоян Братоев Софийски метрополитен. – София: Нота Бене, 2004. – p. 14 – ISBN 954-91420-1-9
  43. ^ "Метрото ще вози милион пътници". Standart. 18 July 2005.
  44. ^ "Паркинги на три етажа в метрото". fakti.bg. 30 March 2007.
  45. ^ "Намаляват пътниците в градския транспорт". money.bg. 18 February 2009.
  46. ^ "Столичното метро постави рекорд – 201 хиляди пътници за един ден". BNT. 21 December 2009.[permanent dead link]
  47. ^ "Колата измести градския транспорт". monitor.bg. 24 April 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014.
  48. ^ "400 хиляди пътници на ден ще пътуват с метро от 2012 година". TV7. 19 June 2011. Archived from the original on 3 August 2013.
  49. ^ "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.
  50. ^ a b "Столичното метро ще се движи на по-чести интервали от април". actualno.com.
  51. ^ a b "New Sofia Metro Station Opens, Adding 15 000 Passengers – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency". novinite.com.
  52. ^ Due to Covid 19
  53. ^ "Operating metro - Metropolitan Sofia". www.metropolitan.bg. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
[edit]
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