First urban train line Zelenikovo–Skopje put into service

The first of three planned lines of the Urban Train, which connects Zelenikovo with the Transport Center in Skopje, has been put into service; trains will run eight times a day.

Symbolic opening and next phases

With a symbolic ride from the Zelenikovo railway station to Skopje, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski, the director of the Public Enterprise "Macedonian Railways – Infrastructure", Sinisa Ivanovski, and Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgievski, marked the official launch of the first line.

The prime minister assessed that the conditions on the section from Zelenikovo to the center of Skopje are European and that travel time will be reduced with the urban train. He emphasized that although this does not solve all problems, it is a step forward in improving transport and the environmental situation, especially before the start of the heating season.

For Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski, "the Urban Train" is the beginning of implementing a vision for more efficient public transport, reducing pollution and increased mobility for residents of Skopje and the surrounding area. He pointed out that two years ago rail transport had been neglected, while today there is active cargo transport and now an urban train, and he repeated that the start was promised on September 1.

The director of the Public Enterprise "Macedonian Railways – Infrastructure", Sinisa Ivanovski, reported that the journey from Zelenikovo to Skopje and back will take under 25 minutes. "From Zelenikovo to Skopje we now have 25 kilometers of reconstructed railway network. On this section there were concrete sleepers from 1959 and 1963, and the condition of the track was extremely poor, which is why trains operated slowly, even at speeds of only 20 kilometers per hour. At this point trains run without problems at speeds of 80 kilometers per hour, and on certain sections up to 100 kilometers per hour. From Skopje to Zelenikovo is reached in under 25 minutes," he said.

There are several stations and stops on the section, a total of 11 level crossings, and bicycle parking is planned at each station. Citizens were asked to respect the signals at the level crossings.

According to announcements, design work is also underway on the other two lines: the second will connect Miladinovci via Ilinden and Madzari with the central railway station in Skopje, and the third will extend from the central station via Skopje-North and Gjorche Petrov to Volkovo.

The price of a ticket for the urban train is 40 denars one-way or 70 denars for a return ticket.

Photo: MIA