Sofia Metro Expands: 61km Network, 500K Daily Riders by 2027

Sofia Metro celebrates 28 years, expanding with 3km and new stations. By 2027, it aims for 61km, serving 500,000 daily, boosting urban transit.

January 29, 2026 5:39 pm

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Sofia Metro marks 28 years of operation, planning to add 3 km of line and 3 new stations by the end of this year.
The network is projected to reach 61 km with 56 stations by the end of 2027, serving 500,000 passengers daily.
The expansion solidifies the metro’s role as Sofia’s primary transport artery, contrasting with slower infrastructure projects in other regional capitals like Bucharest.

SOFIA, Bulgaria – The Sofia Metro is marking 28 years of commercial operation with plans to add approximately 3 kilometers of new track and three stations by the end of this year. The expansion is part of a broader strategy, supported by European funding, to extend the network to 61 kilometers and 56 stations, serving an estimated 500,000 passengers daily by the end of 2027.

Category	Specification / Detail
Project Name	Sofia Metro Network Expansion
Current Year Expansion	~3 km new line, 3 new stations (Vladimir Vazov Blvd)
2027 Network Goal	61 km total length, 56 stations
2027 Passenger Goal	500,000 daily
Key Stakeholders	Sofia Metro Management, EU (Funding)
Projected Impact (by 2027)	90,000 tons/year emissions reduction

Operational & Technical Details

The current expansion phase focuses on a 3-kilometer section under Vladimir Vazov Boulevard. This project includes the construction of three new stations. The metro authority also confirmed the introduction of new trains to service the growing network this year. This builds on previous successful expansions, such as the airport line. The link to Sofia International Airport was constructed between late 2012 and its opening in 2015, integrating a key transport hub into the city’s public transit system.

Market Impact Analysis

The consistent expansion of the Sofia Metro, largely financed by the European Union since 2000, establishes it as a regional benchmark for public transport development. Its fully operational airport connection, active for over a decade, provides a distinct service advantage over cities like Bucharest, where a similar airport rail link remains under construction. This infrastructure investment is critical for reducing urban congestion, with a projected removal of 90,000 cars from daily traffic by 2027. As other European cities prepare for new mobility options like robotaxis, Sofia’s continued investment in high-capacity rail reinforces the central role of mass transit in its long-term urban strategy.

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