Signed contract for 6 new trains to connect Split and Zagreb

Today, the Agreement on the purchase and sale of 6 electrodiesel motor trains for the connection of Split and Zagreb was signed.

The value of the project, which is financed by a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), is EUR 57,3 million. The loan with the EIB for the project Revitalization of the railway system of the Republic of Croatia was concluded in February 2024, and as part of it, the purchase of trains, the construction of the Zagreb Technical Logistics Center and the renovation and construction of local and regional railways, stations and stops will be financed.

The contract was signed by the President of the Management Board of HŽ Putničko prevešti Željko Ukić and President of the Management Board of KONČAR - Electric Vehicles Josip Ninić.

The signing of the contract was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butkovic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Spatial Planning, Construction and State Property Branko Bacic, Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina, Split-Dalmatia prefect Blaženko Boban and President of the Management Board of KONČAR - Elektroindustrije Gordan Kolak.

What is most important to the citizens is how the trains will enable a better connection between Split and Zagreb and more daily departures, which will ensure better local and regional connectivity and citizen mobility.

"The new trains will replace the tilting trains that have been running between Split and Zagreb since 2004. In two years, the first train will be on the line, then one train per month will be put into traffic, and by the end of 2026 we will have a completely renovated rolling stock between these two cities. The acquisition of these 6 trains will enable more daily departures. Precisely the high-quality rail connection with the aim of increasing the number of passengers. The most environmentally friendly and cost-effective way of transport connection and we are extremely happy that we will raise the quality of the service to a new level", pointed out the President of the Board of HŽ Putničko preveštije Željko Ukić.

Zagreb and Split are connected by a 429 km long railway which is electrified from Zagreb to Oštari, and non-electrified from Oštari to Split, electric and diesel propulsion will be used during the journey, with high power traction motors to meet the conditions of the demanding mountain railway.

"Trains will reach a maximum speed of 160 km/h, and it will be possible to functionally connect several trains, which will ensure greater capacity. By delivering new vehicles, KONČAR continues the trend of developing products and solutions that reduce the harmful impact on the climate, offering long-term sustainability products and future-oriented digitalization. By continuously improving technologies in the field of mobility, we contribute to one of the most important goals of the European Union - the establishment of green and sustainable transport In the coming period, as a country, we must continue to ensure conditions in which it will be easier and more desirable to invest in development and in which the national economy will be able to provide the necessary references as a prerequisite for a stronger exit outside Croatia's borders.", pointed out the president of the KONČAR - Elektroindustrije Management Board Gordan Kolak.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Oleg Butković pointed out that in addition to the procurement of new trains, major investments in the modernization of railway infrastructure are underway. EU funds are used to finance railway reconstruction and construction projects on the main corridor railways, and local and regional railways are being renovated with a loan from the European Investment Bank.

"Today, we have 61 new trains in traffic, and in the past few years alone, 33 new trains have been purchased and put into traffic. By the end of next year, we will have a total of 70 new trains, or more than half of the entire fleet. Also, since there has been an important change in the traffic map, which is especially true for the area of ​​Dalmatia, which for the first time has been included in the network of European traffic corridors, the possibility of co-financing the modernization of the Lika railway from EU funds opens up for us. Work is already underway to install signal-safety devices and remote control on the section from Oštari to Knin, and the NPOO will also provide funds for the continuation of the installation from Knin to Split, which will enable faster journeys on this line.", said the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butkovic.

Given that Split is the second largest city in the Republic of Croatia and an important tourist hub through which many places on the coast and islands are connected, a high-quality rail connection between Split and Zagreb represents a great step forward in the goal of increasing the number of transported passengers.

Technical characteristics of new trains

The electro-diesel motor trains will be low-floor compositions, will have three doors on each side of the train, will be equipped with ramps for the entry and exit of people in wheelchairs, a space for bicycles and toilets, one of which will be adapted for the entry of people in wheelchairs. The entire passenger area will be under video surveillance. Monitors will be installed in the passenger area to display video content. Along with visual and audio announcements of stations and stops, passengers on the train will be provided with free internet access (WiFi).

The trains will be equipped with a modern information system for notifying passengers, sockets and self-service machines for food and drinks. The capacity of the train will be 150 seats (12 in 1st class, 138 in 2nd class).

"Today's contract between HŽPP and Končar really makes me happy because it is the turning of a new page in terms of railways and rail transport on the route Zagreb - Split with 6 new trains. With the fact that now, as the minister himself said, we really need to start rebuilding the infrastructure so that these trains run on adequate tracks from Zagreb to Split. We hope to put all this into operation by 2027.", pointed out the Split-Dalmatia prefect Blaženko Boban.

And here we come to the main question that interests travelers. In addition to the modernization of the train, both in terms of comfort and the availability of WiFi and power sockets, the key question is how long will the trip between Zagreb and Split take, i.e. will the travel time be reduced?

The trains will be able to reach a maximum speed of 160 km/h, but the question is whether it will reduce the travel time, because the problem is the old railway infrastructure, which is a limiting factor. Currently, according to HŽ's timetable, you can get from Zagreb to Split (length 429 km) by train in 06 hours and 35 minutes, if there are no delays.

As the Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure pointed out, the aforementioned route is included in the network of European transport corridors, which gives the possibility of using EU funds for the reconstruction of the railway, which is certainly good news, but which also means that we will radically reduce the duration of the train journey from Zagreb to Split and vice versa will have to wait.

It is positive that they have made assumptions for future development, i.e. strengthening the railway infrastructure, there are plans and financing options, and ultimately that things have started from a "dead point". That's the first step. 

Cover photo: HŽPP / Google maps / Illustration: hrturism