Leaders
WITH STRATEGIC INVESTMENT AND ADVANCE SERBIAN RAILROADS AGAIN GROW TO BE REGIONAL TRANSPORT GIANT
Swing of the great modernization
Talks with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are on the way in order to secure guarantied loan of 100 million euros for reconstruction of mail railway network in Serbia, including Corridor 10 and Port of Bar, while rest of the money, up to 221 million euros, and that is the value of whole project, should be secured by European Investment Bank
 In last four years, since present management runs it, ”Serbian Railroads” scored results with which we can be proud – says for National Review general manager of this public corporation, Milanko Sarancic, M. D. Of course, it is always possible to do more and better, but everything we have accomplished from 2004 until today confirms rightness of our business orientation. We have increased volume of work in cargo and passenger transport, transport income, number of locomotives and carriages on Serbian rails, in modernization of transport means we have invested around 100 million euros, and in infrastructure around 5.3 billion dinars, we have advanced our transport and commercial offer. Beside that, we have reorganized and solved many inherited problems, we have more than doubled level of work, and we have tripled transit income while decreasing number of employees for around eight thousand.
Small comparative analysis of efficiency in ”Serbian Railroads” in 2003 and 2007, on the beginning of analyzed period and in last business year, strikingly confirms advance. ”Serbian Railroads” during last year transported 15.1 million tons of goods with the revenue of 8.9 billion dinars, which is increase of transport for almost 40 per cent and revenue was more than doubled in comparison with 2003. From transit on Serbian railroads last year, income was 58 million dinars, which is more than tree times more than four years ago. Whole transport revenue of Serbian Railroads in 2007 was 10.6 billion dinars and third year in a row was larger than government subsidies, and two times over than transport revenue realized in 2003. In the same time, loss of Serbian Railways in 2003 of 12.8 billion dinars was lowered to 5.5 billion dinars in 2007. From 2004 to 2007, Serbian Railways also paid off around 136 million euros to foreign creditors, from its own revenues paid back 168 million euros of inherited loan obligations from previous period, regularly with its own means, paying back all other international obligations.
– In 2008, we have started completely modernization of railway traffic in Serbia because we have secured almost 120 million euros. From this money, we shall acquire ten maneuvering locomotives, modernize 20 sleeping, rest coaches, and buy three new multi-system locomotives. We shall also modernize 93 kilometers of railroad on Corridor 10, as well as railway station Dimitrovgrad – says general manager Sarancic.
DEVELOPMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT According to experts estimates of Serbian Railroads, for more significant quality improvment of railway traffic in Serbia three billion euros is needed. Only for finishing railway Corridor 10 through Serbia, in accordance with highest European standards 12.5 billion euros is needed. For sanitation of around 400 kilometers of rails, where speed is limited to less speed it is needed around 150 million euros. There was no significant modernization since electrification of Serbian railroads, almost half a century ago.
 – European Investment Bank approved loan of 80 million euros for Corridor 10 modernization and realization of tender procedure is under way. From this money, it is planned complete repair of 93 kilometers or rails on Corridor 10, on sections Cele Kula –Stanicenje, on railroad Nis–Dimitrovgrad, Batajnica–Golubinci, between Belgrade and Sid, and sections Gilje–Cuprija–Paracin, on main route Belgrade–Nis. Thanks to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development of 57 million euros, Serbian Railways have, for the first time in quarter of a century, bought new coaches, and by the end of the year, all of 770-contracted cargo coaches will be delivered. From International Railway Bank ”Eurofirme” we received loan of 60 million Swiss Franks for mentioned modernization of railway devices and tender procedure is under way-says Sarancic.
According to his words, next year is planned for aquisition of multi-purpose locomotives and cargo coaches, and preliminary talks on realization of these projects are under way. Their value is around 100 million dollars, and bid has been made for financing from World Bank. Also, in progress are talks with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development that could secure guaranteed loan of 100 million euros for reconstruction of main railway network in Serbia, including Corridor 10, and Bar railroad, while European Investment Bank would secure rest of resources of 221 million euros, which is the value of the whole project.
With realization of these credit lines and established goals, Serbian Railroads in cargo transport will be able to respond to all requests of economy for transport of goods by railroad (which was not the case until now). In passanger traffic, transport will be more regular, with better quality and more efficient that it is case now, with increase of speed and safety of trains.
Only with modernization of existing railroads on Corridor 10 revenue of ”Serbian Railways” from transit would be on annual bases around 100 million euros, which is more than double in comparison with the present time. With construction of second track on this international main route, direct transit revenues of Serbian Railways would be several times higher.
*** Part of European Network
– Corridor 10 is by all means most important project of ”Serbian Railroads”. International financial institutions, with approval of dedicated loans for modernization and construction of Corridor 10, confirm that this railroad direction is not only ours, but it is also great interest of whole Europe. Determination of state to help us in modernization of Corridor 10, necessity of developing competition on transport market, as well as fading of international borders, simply oblige to respond timely, with quality and responsibility to Europe’s requests. In reverse, we would be at the far end of developments – emphasize Sarancic
*** Permanent upgrading
All direct railway connections from Belgrade with all European metropolis were preserved in last four years, informing of passengers was upgraded with establishment of call center and with issuing data on timetable by SMS, possibility of reservations of tickets over internet was established, electronic system ORCA for reservations in our trains was put to use, as well as international reservation system EPA. In cargo transport ”RO-LA” trains were lead in for transport of trucks on the railway and container trains from Bar for Belgrade and Budapest, as well as new trains ”Sava Express”, between Belgrade and Ljubljana and ”East Express”, between Belgrade and Istanbul.
*** Care
Serbian reconstructed trains for disabled passengers travel between Belgrade and Vienna, and in biggest railway, stations there are signs and timetables with Brail alphabet, for blind and persons with poor eyesight.
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