We are undertaking consistent and concrete actions to overcome the problems in the railway sector. This was stated by Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Peev following meetings with representatives of the railway operators and the trade unions.
„We will focus on the major issues, namely improving operational coordination“ Minister Peev said. During the discussions, it became clear that the movement of freight trains is sometimes hindered when planned repairs coincide with ongoing maintenance works on alternate routes on the railway infrastructure.
One of the topics raised by the sector representatives was the length of freight train formations, as difficulties arise in the movement of longer trains through certain stations. The permissible tonnage for trains transiting through Serbian territory was also discussed. Minister Peev summarized that these issues would be examined by the Ministry’s team.
During the meeting with the trade union organizations, the Minister of Transport and Deputy Minister Tsveta Timeva outlined four priority areas for analysis within the sector. These include the functions of Holding BDZ EAD, the financial condition and competitiveness of BDZ Cargo EOOD, the signed contract with the first private passenger rail operator, which is due to enter into force on 13 December this year, and the overall condition of the country’s railway infrastructure. According to Minister Peev, the preparation of a new vision for the management and development of the railway sector should be based on these key areas.
The representatives of the trade unions called for the renewal of the activities of the Branch Council for Tripartite Cooperation in the Transport Sector and its subsector branches. In their view, this would allow the organization of regular meetings that would support timely discussions and the preparation of future sector policies, rather than merely reacting to problems that emerge.
