Since 2015, when Srbija Voz [Serbia Train] was transformed into a joint stock company, it has been working constantly – with the support of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and its ministries – to improve the quality of services, which has resulted in an increase in passenger numbers and revenue growth
Modernisation of the Zemun technical-passenger station complex, worth 47 million euros, is one of the biggest projects that Srbija Voz will implement in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, announces Jugoslav Jović.
Srbija Voz has been operating as a joint stock company since August 2015. How much has rail transport of passengers improved thanks to this decision of the Government of Serbia?
– Following the decision of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and with the assistance of the respective ministry, Srbija Voz a.d. [JSC] has been working continuously to improve the quality of services and increase the number of passengers and level of revenue, which implies modernising existing rolling stock, buying new trains, upgrading the sales network aboard trains and online, introducing Wi-Fi connectivity and an information system for energy management, constructing the Zemun technical-passenger station etc.
Is the state of rolling stock (locomotives, EMG, DMG, wagons) satisfactory?
– In recent years, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Srbija Voz has invested significant funds in the modernisation of its rolling stock. For main line train transport in 2016, we procured 21 new Stadler electro-motor trains and 27 Metrowagonmash diesel engines. Older rolling stock is being modernised, while we expect the purchase of new electro-motor trains in the period ahead.
From the special offer of Srbija Voz, we single out the tourist museum trains “Plavi Voz”, “Nostalgija” and “Romantika”, which can be visited and hired for individual journeys
What has Srbija Voz done when it comes to modernising its capacities and commercial offers?
– In cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, we will implement a project for the modernisation of the complex of the technical-passenger station Zemun, worth 47 million euros. This project implies the construction of a functional unit for the maintenance of rolling stock for the transport of passengers with all necessary facilities, gauges, plants, equipment and installations in function of the care and maintenance of all rolling stock.
With the EBRD, for a total value of five million euros, we will carry out the modernisation of the sales network with the introduction of mobile terminals for conductors, machines for issuing tickets and with the introduction of a modern business information system. According to the 2019 Law on the Budget, a guarantee for a new EBRD loan of 100 million euros is planned for the procurement of new electro-motor trains for internal transportation, with which the quality of services will be significantly improved, while passenger number and revenues will increase. In 2018 we implemented and introduced an application for online sales, as well as an application for mobile ticket sales that’s already available on the Play Store, while a version for the AppStore is in the final stage of development. Srbija Voz offers users services that include various commercial benefits with which they can gain discounts on tickets.
Last year saw company Wall Business issue you with a A+ certification. Do you expect similar recognition this year?
– The ‘Bonitetna ocena’ credit rating is a professional and precise indicator of a company’s operations. Considering that Srbija Voz works constantly to improve the quality of its services, we expect that we will this year deservedly receive confirmation of the efforts we’ve exerted.