According to Serbian Economist, passenger service on the high-speed rail line between Belgrade and Budapest is scheduled to begin within the next one to two months, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced at a press conference on July 16. Thus, provided the new deadlines are met, the first trains could begin running in August or September. However, Hungarian authorities have not yet specified an exact launch date.
In the coming days, Hungarian Minister of Transport and Investment David Vitézi is scheduled to visit Serbia. During talks with representatives of the Serbian government, the parties plan to coordinate the operation of signaling systems and equipment that ensure traffic safety on the cross-border section.
The launch of passenger trains has already been postponed several times. The main issue has been the certification of the European Train Control System (ETCS) installed on the Hungarian section of the line. Inspections conducted in the spring revealed malfunctions that could have compromised train safety at speeds of up to 160 km/h.
The reconstruction of the railway line has already been completed, and on February 27, 2026, freight traffic began on the Hungarian section. The first cross-border freight train traveled from Budapest through Kelebia and Subotica toward Novi Sad. Passenger service has been postponed until the testing and certification of the signaling systems are completed.
The Belgrade–Budapest high-speed rail line is one of the largest joint infrastructure projects between Serbia, Hungary, and China. Once fully operational, it is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two capitals and strengthen Serbia’s transport links with Central Europe.
https://t.me/relocationrs/3252
“Ukrzaliznytsia” continues to modernize its rolling stock; new passenger cars manufactured in Ukraine have already been added to the train set for Train No. 29/30 Kyiv–Uzhhorod, Ukrzaliznytsia announced on Saturday.
These cars will immediately begin service today on Train No. 4/3 from Uzhhorod to Dnipro, and taking into account the cars received a month earlier, there are now six new cars operating on the Kyiv–Uzhhorod–Dnipro route, according to a Telegram post.
The cars are equipped with high-capacity rechargeable batteries, which allow the air conditioners to operate even during prolonged stops in hot weather. The compartments also feature power outlets, tables for passengers in the upper berths, buttons to call the conductor, and modern lighting. The restrooms are equipped with changing tables and child seats.
As noted, Ukrzaliznytsia has received a total of 18 new passenger cars since the beginning of the year.
JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” (UZ) transported over 1 million passengers between June 8 and 21, with the Kyiv-Lviv route (in both directions) proving to be the most popular among Ukrainians, where demand for tickets was three times higher than supply.
“To give more people the opportunity to travel, we scheduled additional trains,” UZ reported on Telegram on Wednesday.
According to the company’s statistics, the shortage on the Kyiv–Odesa route is 4.5 times the supply. Meanwhile, on the Kyiv–Kharkiv, Kyiv–Dnipro, and Kyiv–Vinnytsia routes, demand is twice the supply.
It is noted that the most popular train that departed last week was No. 705/706 Kyiv–Przemyśl, which carried 26,800 passengers.
In addition, from June 8 to 21, the average number of passengers per car was 692.
The number of passengers in children’s groups totaled 43,500, while 7,700 military personnel traveled via the special reserve.
“We understand the scale of the seat shortage, so we are trying to add trains to popular weekend getaway destinations whenever possible,” Ukrzaliznytsia emphasized.
As previously reported, Ukrzaliznytsia transported 472,900 passengers during the first week of June (June 1–7). At that time, it was noted that Ukrzaliznytsia plans to transport a total of 7 million passengers over the three summer months.
In early June, Ukrzaliznytsia told the Interfax-Ukraine news agency that this year’s summer passenger travel season would be more challenging than last year’s due to rising demand and a reduction in the number of railcars.
Ukrzaliznytsia JSC announced a reduction in the number of passenger cars on trains serving routes with lower demand and their redeployment to routes with the highest demand.
“This allows us, given the shortage of rolling stock, to schedule additional trains and increase the number of cars on the most in-demand routes,” Ukrzaliznytsia stated in a Telegram post on Friday.
It is noted that seven train pairs will soon be transferred to daily service. Specifically, these include train No. 4/3 Uzhhorod – Dnipro, No. 86/85 Lviv – Zaporizhzhia, No. 128/127 Lviv – Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia, No. 78/77 Kovel – Odesa, No. 88/87 Kovel – Dnipro, as well as trains No. 7/8 Kharkiv – Odesa and No. 121/122 Mykolaiv – Kyiv.
Among other things, the company is resuming service on train No. 143/144 Sumy–Rakhiv. Thus, the route will connect northern Slobozhanshchyna and Sivershchyna with the western part of the country and provide direct service between Sumy, Bilopillia, and Konotop and Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Yaremche, and Vorokhta.
In addition, Ukrzaliznytsia has scheduled an additional train No. 227/228 Kyiv–Chernivtsi between the capital and Bukovina, which will run every other day via Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Kolomyia. The train will consist of open-seating, compartment, and SV (first-class) cars.
“Ticket sales for these scheduled trains will open in accordance with the trains’ running dates. The advance booking period depends on the specific route and ranges from 20 to 5 days prior to the departure date,” the company explained.
Ukrzaliznytsia has launched a new flagship train, the “Sakura,” which connects Kyiv and Uzhhorod and features new cars manufactured in Ukraine in 2026, according to a statement from the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development.
According to the Ministry’s press release on Tuesday, the new cars are equipped with security systems featuring surveillance cameras and include a number of passenger-friendly improvements: rechargeable batteries, additional amenities for traveling with children, inclusive design elements, and functional comfort features in the compartments.
The new flagship train departs on its maiden voyage from Kyiv to Uzhhorod today, April 28.
“In total, Japan has already provided Ukraine with over $15 billion in financial, humanitarian, and technical aid. “Within the framework of grant programs, we are coordinating four phases of emergency recovery totaling approximately $700 million and expect to sign the next phase for an additional $40 million,” Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery and Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba is quoted as saying in the release.
It is noted that with JICA’s assistance, Ukraine received approximately 28,000 tons of rails manufactured by Nippon Steel and dozens of units of specialized equipment, which allowed for the renewal of about 200 km of tracks on key routes.
The Ministry of Development added that 12 train cars feature cherry blossom petal branding.
In addition, passengers on the train will have access to an online portal about Japanese culture, architecture, and art, and will also be able to explore elements of Japanese cuisine, board games, and joint Ukrainian-Japanese cultural projects.
As previously reported, Ukrzaliznytsia received the first six of 100 new passenger cars ordered in 2025 from PJSC Kryukiv Railway Car Building Works (KVBZ).
The total contract value is approximately 6.5 billion UAH, and funding is provided from the state budget.
Deliveries are expected to continue in phases until May 2028, and 60 such cars will be ready by the end of 2026.
According to Serbian Economist, the Czech Škoda Group has confirmed plans to localize the production of both trains and trams in Serbia, with MIND Park in Kragujevac being considered as the site for such a project. The company announced this in a comment to N1 following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with MIND Group.
Škoda stated that its strategy in the Serbian market is geared toward a long-term presence in the sustainable transport segment and includes not only the supply of rolling stock but also maintenance, as well as long-term availability of spare parts. To strengthen its local presence, the company has decided to transfer part of the production of solutions for the Serbian market to its partner’s site—the MIND Group.
The company clarified that it intends to localize the production of both trams and trains. This includes, in particular, trams that could be manufactured to Belgrade’s specifications, as well as electric trains for suburban, regional, and cross-border service on the Serbian railway network.
Škoda explains that the localization of the full production cycle depends on the volume of orders and investments. At the same time, the company explicitly states that Serbia is viewed as a priority market in the Western Balkans, particularly due to a large-scale investment program in railway infrastructure. The company also confirmed that it is in contact with the Serbian Development Agency regarding investment incentives.
The issue is particularly relevant for Belgrade amid protracted procurement processes for new urban rolling stock. Tenders for new trams in recent years have either been suspended or faced complaints from bidders. At the same time, Škoda stated that it is reviewing the recently announced tender for the procurement of 60 new trolleybuses, although it is not commenting on ongoing commercial negotiations.
The Škoda Group is one of the largest Czech manufacturers of rail transport and urban mobility solutions. The company produces trams, electric trains, trolleybuses, and related transport technologies; in 2024, it secured new orders worth €1.7 billion and significantly increased its EBITDA while continuing to expand in European markets.
MIND Group is a Serbian industrial group developing the MIND Park industrial zone in Kragujevac as a cluster for mechanical engineering, logistics, and high-tech manufacturing. The partnership with Škoda aims to strengthen the park’s position as a hub for the localization of complex transportation industry operations in Serbia.
