SERBIA: The section of the Beograd – Budapest main line between Novi Sad, Subotica and the Hungarian border near Kelebija has reopened following a major rebuilding and realignment to allow 200 km/h running.
The double-track route replaces a former single track line. It was inaugurated by President Aleksandar Vučić on October 3, with free travel offered from October 8 until the start of revenue services on October 12.
Two phase project
The initial 78 km Beograd – Novi Sad section of the corridor from Beograd to the border reopened in March 2022 after being rebuilt for 200 km/h running by RZD International, China Railway International and China Communications & Construction Co.
The Chinese companies began work on the 108 km Novi Sad – Subotica – Kelebija section in November 2021. This has been completed at cost of €937m, of which 85% was financed by a loan from China’s Eximbank. According to local media, additional works have added a further €74m to the overall cost.
Major structures include a 1·5 km viaduct near Vrbas. The line is electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz, equipped with ETCS Level 2 and GSM-R, and has no level crossings.
The initial plan had been to open the Novi Sad – Subotica section in November 2024, but this was postponed after the collapse of a 35 m concrete canopy on the façade of Novi Sad station killed 16 people and triggered a wave of anti-government protests. Trains are currently using Petrovaradin station pending the completion of safety works at Novi Sad station.
Border to Budapest section
The next 163 km section from the border through Hungary to Budapest is being upgraded by the CRE Consortium of Hungarian and Chinese firms under a US$2·1bn contract awarded in 2019 and 85% financed through an Eximbank loan from China.
In August, Hungary’s Minister of Construction & Transport János Lázár said the handover from the contractor is expected in November, with passenger services to start in December or January. This will enable the start of 200 km/h Beograd – Budapest through services by the beginning of March 2026. Beograd – Budapest timings will be cut from around 8 h to less than 3 h.
Serbian operator SrbijaVoz has three 200 km/h Stadler Kiss double-deck EMUs, branded as Soko, for use on the Beograd – Subotica route, and five CRRC Changchun EMUs are awaiting approval for use on through services to Hungary.
- The rebuilding of the Serbian part of the Beograd – Budapest main line was described in detail in the November 2023 issue of Railway Gazette International.
