Bulgaria’s transport landscape is undergoing a noticeable shift, with buses emerging as the preferred mode of travel for many citizens. According to preliminary figures released by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) for the third quarter of 2025, passenger movement across land, water, and urban electric systems increased overall, even as certain segments declined.
The data highlights that passenger transport grew by 14% compared to the same period last year. However, despite the increased number of travelers, the total work performed across all systems fell by 10.7%, primarily due to shorter travel distances in some modes.
In land transport, freight activity rose sharply, with goods carried reaching 36,187.9 thousand tons—an impressive 21.2% increase over the third quarter of 2024.
Domestic land freight demonstrated the strongest growth, rising by 26.1%, while international transport saw a more moderate 7.8% increase. Work performed in freight transport also grew by 9.8%, reaching 8,479.5 million ton-kilometers.
Passenger land transport also reported positive momentum, carrying 115,333.6 thousand travelers—up 22.2% from last year.
Bus travel accounted for the most significant rise at 23.6%, reinforcing its growing popularity among commuters and long-distance travelers alike. In contrast, rail transport dipped slightly by 0.6%, continuing a pattern of stagnation in recent years.
Despite the surge in passenger numbers, the total work performed in passenger land transport fell by 14.3% to 2,214.4 million passenger-kilometers. NSI attributed this decline largely to shorter average bus trip distances, even amid increased ridership.
Water transport painted a mixed picture during the quarter. Cargo volumes transported via river and sea routes dropped by 531.8 thousand tons compared with the same period in 2024. The corresponding work performed decreased by 5.2%, indicating lower activity in Bulgaria’s maritime and river logistics sectors.
Passenger numbers on water routes also fell slightly by 69.5 thousand. However, the work performed grew by 11.9%, suggesting that passengers traveled longer distances despite lower headcounts.
Urban electric transport—comprising trams, trolleybuses, and metro systems—continued its upward trajectory. Passenger traffic rose by 4.5%, reaching 83,506 thousand commuters.
The work performed also increased by 9.1% to 492.4 million passenger-kilometers, supported by higher demand in major cities such as Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna.
Transport analysts say the growing preference for buses may stem from improved services, expanded routes, and competitive prices. Many passengers also point to greater convenience and flexibility compared to train travel, which has struggled with slow modernization and occasional disruptions.
The Q3 2025 figures reflect broader shifts in Bulgaria’s mobility patterns driven by economic activity, urbanization, and infrastructure investments.
With freight transport rising across land routes and passenger numbers increasing in most sectors, the country’s transport system appears to be undergoing an important transition.
However, the decline in rail users and reduced work performed across several categories underscores ongoing challenges. Experts stress that Bulgaria’s long-term transport sustainability will depend on enhanced rail modernization, improved intermodal connectivity, and continued investment in urban and regional transport networks.
As Bulgaria navigates these changes, policymakers are expected to focus on strengthening transport efficiency while accommodating the growing public preference for road-based travel. The coming quarters will indicate whether the shift toward buses continues or whether rail can regain momentum through targeted improvements.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members