The Bulgarian State Railways experienced continuous growth from the start of their operations until 1905. During this period, the railway system expanded its lines, improved rolling stock, and increased both passenger and freight traffic. The following overview summarizes their performance.
Railway Lines and Costs
By 1905, the total length of railway lines had reached approximately 1,175 kilometres. The construction and maintenance of these lines, along with rolling stock, represented a substantial investment. For example:
In 1900, the cost of lines with rolling stock was 153,559,000 francs Ephesus Sightseeing.
By 1905, this cost increased to about 164,966,000 francs, reflecting the expansion and improvement of infrastructure.
Revenue and Expenditure
Gross receipts steadily increased each year:
1900: 8,163,454 francs
1905: 11,170,970 francs
Receipts per kilometre rose from 5,778 francs in 1900 to 9,301 francs in 1905. Gross expenditure also increased but at a slower pace, leading to higher net receipts:
1900: 3,666,391 francs
1905: 3,815,954 francs
Net receipts per kilometre showed a similar trend, indicating growing efficiency and profitability of railway operations.
Traffic Analysis
The railways served both passengers and freight:
Passengers transported: Increased from 574,394 in 1900 to 1,349,330 in 1905.
Passenger kilometrage: Rose from 63,657,430 km to 100,282,126 km.
Express goods traffic: Also grew significantly, reflecting expanding commercial activity.
Slow goods traffic: Increased steadily, showing the railways’ key role in moving agricultural and industrial products.
Receipts from various sources contributed to revenue: tickets, luggage, express goods, slow goods, and other taxes. Expenditure included administration, traffic, maintenance, and traction services.
Proportion of Receipts
Passenger receipts accounted for roughly 35–37% of gross receipts.
Luggage and dogs contributed around 1–3%.
Express goods traffic made up 60–64%, reflecting the importance of freight.
Slow goods traffic contributed a smaller share but remained significant for agricultural transport.
Post and Telegraph Services
Initially, the post and telegraph offices focused on domestic and international correspondence and money orders. In 1880, maintenance cost about 100,000 francs per month, while revenue was only 42,000 francs, creating a monthly deficit of 58,000 francs. Despite this, services handled around 395,000 telegraphic messages and 1.2 million letters and parcels per year in Northern Bulgaria alone.
From 1900 to 1905, the Bulgarian State Railways expanded their network, increased traffic, and improved financial performance. The growth in both passenger and freight transport demonstrates their central role in Bulgaria’s economy and communication network.