SOFIA, Bulgaria – July 15, 2025 — Sofia’s Metro Line 4 (M4) will temporarily suspend service to its western terminus at “Obelya” station due to construction work on the future “Pancho Vladigerov” station, officials from “Metropolitan” EAD, the city’s public transit operator, announced on Monday.
The suspension, affecting trains running from “Sofia Airport” to “Obelya”, will shorten M4’s route to “Slivnitsa” station until further notice. The disruption is part of broader efforts to expand metro accessibility in Sofia’s northwestern district, with the new “Pancho Vladigerov” station expected to ease congestion and improve connectivity once completed.
“Metropolitan” confirmed that Metro Lines 1 and 2, which also serve “Obelya” station, will remain unaffected and continue operating according to their regular schedules. The adjustments apply solely to M4 trains, which currently share tracks with the other lines for part of their route.
To mitigate the disruption and maintain passenger service between “Slivnitsa” and “Obelya”, the municipal authorities are deploying two bus lines along the affected stretch.
Bus No. 31 will operate on a modified route, linking Golyanovtsi village to “Slivnitsa” via “Obelya”, and will run in both directions along “Pancho Vladigerov” Boulevard. Despite the route change, the bus frequency will remain the same.
Additionally, Bus No. 81, which already covers much of the corridor between Ivanyane, Bankya, and “Obelya”, will continue along its standard route. This service also travels on “Pancho Vladigerov” Boulevard and connects passengers with the “Slivnitsa” station as well as the city’s Northern Industrial Zone.
The city has not provided an official end date for the disruption, but construction at “Pancho Vladigerov” is reportedly progressing on schedule. Officials are urging commuters to plan their journeys accordingly and use alternative routes where possible.
Sofia’s metro system, a vital artery for daily commuters, has seen rapid expansion in recent years. The new station is part of a larger initiative to improve transport infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion in the capital’s outer districts.
Transit authorities say updates on construction progress and service resumption will be published regularly on the Sofia Metro’s official website and social media channels.