Chaos on the Stalać-Kraljevo Railway: Modernization or Just Another Paper Project?
Brace yourselves, because Serbian railways are back in the spotlight — but not for speed or efficiency, rather for endless changes and complications surrounding the modernization project of the Stalać-Kraljevo railway line. This roughly 72-kilometer stretch is supposed to become a modern single-track railway, adapted for mixed traffic, with speeds up to 120 km/h. But is that really the case, or just another example of big words without action?
What’s changing and why does it matter?
The revised spatial plan draft brings a series of changes following public feedback. The plan includes expanding public use areas at several locations, including stops at Makrešane, Čitluk, Pepeljevac, Gračac, Podunavci, and Vrba. Reconstruction of the existing overpass near Kruševac is also planned, which sounds good, but that’s just part of the puzzle.
They plan to keep 18 existing official stops, whereas initially 17 were planned, with some stops becoming passing loops or being removed. Regarding pedestrian crossings, out of 66 existing ones, 37 are planned to be removed, 25 retained, and a few relocated. So, what about safety and accessibility? It’s unclear how this will work in practice.
Speed? Only on paper!
Currently, train speeds on this line are disastrous — between Stalać and Kruševac trains run at just 30 km/h, and between Kruševac and Kraljevo even slower, at 25 km/h. On eight critical points, speeds are further limited to 20 km/h for safety reasons. The plan is to increase speeds to 120 km/h, but will that really happen or remain a dead letter on paper?
Passenger and freight traffic — optimization or more chaos?
They plan to organize two types of passenger trains: express and regional. Express trains will run eight pairs daily, stopping at major stations, while regional trains will have 11 pairs daily with 16 stations and stops. Freight traffic remains in one category, with two pairs of trains daily, adjusted to the schedule.
But how will all this fit into the existing infrastructure, which is already in poor condition? Will this modernization really reduce traffic jams and optimize logistics, or will it just be another pile of papers and promises?
Stations and platforms — grand plans or empty words?
Each station and stop is planned to have platforms of various sizes, from 2.5 to 6.3 meters wide, with reconstructions and new buildings. Kruševac will get a complete reconstruction with seven tracks, while Kraljevo will get a new station about 1,000 m² in size. It sounds like something real will happen, but will it happen on time and as planned?
Conclusion: Another story of promises without delivery?
The Stalać-Kraljevo railway modernization project promises a lot — faster trains, better services, optimization of freight and passenger traffic. But the reality is that this line has been neglected for decades, with speeds below any minimum and infrastructure crying out for renewal.
Will this plan be a turning point or just another in a series of projects that remain on paper? The public consultation lasts until July 21, so if you have something to say, now’s the time to speak up. If not, prepare for more decades of snail-speed rides.
And hey, if you made it this far, drop a comment — do you believe in this modernization or is it just another fairy tale for grown-ups? Who knows, maybe trains will actually catch up with us one day!
