Skip to main content

EBRD investment to modernise Serbia's railways

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is continuing to support the modernisation of Serbia’s transport infrastructure and promote further reform of the rail sector with a sovereign-guaranteed loan of up to €95 million (US$125 million) to the Serbian Railways company.
March 15, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
The 2001 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)  is continuing to support the modernisation of Serbia’s transport infrastructure and promote further reform of the rail sector with a sovereign-guaranteed loan of up to €95 million (US$125 million) to the 3911 Serbian Railways company.

The investment will finance the rehabilitation of key sections of Corridor X, the main north-south route running through Serbia, which is also the country’s key regional link with its neighbours.

As the most important component of the railway network in Serbia, Corridor X handles over 50 per cent of all rail traffic. However, much of it is in a poor state, resulting in speed restrictions, or is in need of modernisation to meet anticipated traffic flows. More than 50 per cent of the network operates at speeds of less than 60 km/hour.

The EBRD loan will help Serbian Railways to address these limitations by financing the modernisation of a 14km section of Corridor X from Belgrade Central Station through Rakovica to Resnik, as well as the renewal of approximately 50km of track along key sections of this Corridor. The project will enhance the speed and reliability of passenger and freight rail services in Serbia.

The EBRD is supporting the ongoing reform of Serbian Railways, particularly the creation of separate passenger, freight and infrastructure companies, and the opening of the rail freight market to private operators. The objective of these reforms is to increase efficiency, and the quality of rail services offered to the market.

Related Content

  • World Bank funds Yemen highway project
    June 6, 2014
    The World Bank has announced a US$133.54 million grant to support the Government of Yemen’s ambitious plan to connect the northern and southern parts of the country with a 710 kilometre highway. The largest ever infrastructure project in Yemen’s history will play a vital role in the country’s transition by targeting the root causes of instability, such as lack of access to economic opportunities and poor national integration, and rebuilding the country’s social and economic base. “This is more than just
  • US FY 2016 budget invests heavily in ITS, infrastructure
    February 3, 2015
    Announcing President Obama’s US$94.7 billion Fiscal Year 2016 budget for the US Department of Transportation, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said, “Our budget proposal lays the foundation for a future where our transportation infrastructure meets the demands of a growing population and an economy that depends on the free flow of freight,” said Secretary Foxx. “This Administration is looking towards the horizon – the future – but to do this we need Congress’ partnership to pass a long-term reauthorisa
  • Video analytics enhances urban rail safety
    December 16, 2016
    David Crawford explores some promising innovations for North American commuters. North America is experiencing a surge in commuter rail and metro development. The US now has 75 light rail and metro networks in operation; and California, in particular, is actively exploring ways of developing the state’s existing passenger rail operations into a fully integrated system.
  • EBRD, EU and Austria improve Skopje’s roads
    September 29, 2014
    Investment from the EBRD and help from Austria and the EU is helping Skopje, the capital city of FYR Macedonia, to upgrade one of its major streets, install a modern traffic management system and improve road safety. Although 45 million journeys are made on the city’s public transport each year, the growing number of vehicles on the streets has made improving congestion a priority for the municipal authorities. In addition, inadequate safety measures and the high volume of pedestrians mean that road safe