Nikoloski says Prilep–Bitola intercity train will start "in the coming period"

The intercity train between Prilep and Bitola has not entered service yet, despite repeated promises from Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski earlier in 2026. In April he said the service would start by June; during a visit to Prilep on October 11 he spoke more vaguely, saying it will run "in the coming period."

Timeline of announcements and the temporary solution

Officials argue the train is needed while the Prilep–Bitola highway is under construction, because the existing narrow road often turns journeys of about 40 kilometres into hour‑long or longer ordeals. As an interim measure, a refurbished historic unit known locally as the "Spanish train" has been brought out of retirement to operate the Bitola–Prilep route.

On October 11, during his visit to Prilep for the holiday, Nikoloski said: "Regarding the connection of Bitola with Prilep by train, which I promised, the Prilep–Bitola highway is being built in parallel and with the contractor, the Bechtel and Enka consortium, we had a joint decision to complete all activities related to bridging the railway in several places, so that when rail traffic starts it will not stop. And I expect in the coming period to also start an intercity train between Prilep and Bitola,".

Earlier in the year, on April 16, Nikoloski told local business representatives that he was working with Macedonian Railways – Infrastructure and Transport to launch the intercity service "no later than June." He added: "We are working with Macedonian Railways - Infrastructure and Transport to launch an intercity train no later than June that would operate on the Prilep–Bitola–Zhabeni line. Those who need to travel daily between these two cities, and those who work in the Zhabeni industrial zone, should use the train. We will offer a promotional return ticket price of 150 denars, which is the cheapest that can be found on the market, considering someone would pay more for parking, not to mention fuel for a vehicle."

On May 31 he gave another target, saying the train would start by early July. More than four months after the initial June deadline, however, the latest public statement offers no fixed start date—only the expectation of a start "in the coming period."

The highway project itself is part of a wider infrastructure push. Nikoloski has described the period as one of intensive development, with six motorway sections under construction. He said the Prilep–Bitola motorway is proceeding quickly, with a planned completion date at the end of 2029 and an expectation that approximately 12 of the total 40 kilometres could open in 2027.

The draft Spatial Plan of North Macedonia until 2040 also envisages improved rail links for Bitola, including connections to the country’s airports in Skopje and Ohrid. For now, residents of the Pelagonia region continue to wait for a reliable rail connection between its two largest cities.

Photo: SDK.MK)