PASSENGER services have resumed between Subotica in Serbia and the Hungarian city of Szeged, 170km southeast of Budapest, following an eight-year suspension.
Five regional services are operating a day in each direction, departing Subotica at 06.03, 07.37, 13.37, 16.37 and 19.37. Trains from Szeged depart at 05.19, 08.58, 14.58, 17.58 and 21.43.
Trains are calling at the intermediate stations of Palić, Hajdukovo, Bački Vinogradi and Horgoš in Serbia, as well as at Röszke and Szentmihálytelek in Hungary.
The new service provides passengers with a faster and more convenient way to cross the border between Serbia and Hungary.
According to Serbian national passenger operator Srbijavoz, the border crossing between Horgoš in Serbia and Röszke in Hungary is one of the busiest in Europe. Lengthy queues of road vehicles can often cause significant delays.
The journey time by rail between Subotica and Szeged is now 1h 30min, with passport checks taking place on the train.
The service departs from Subotica Teretna station, a temporary facility provided while the main station in Subotica is being renovated as part of the project to build a high-speed line between Belgrade and Budapest. Work at Subotica main station is expected to be completed by the end of February next year.
The restoration of through passenger services follows a major upgrade of the Subotica - Szeged line, built in 1869, which included comprehensive track renewals along its entire length.
The maximum speed for passenger trains is now 120 km/h, while freight trains can travel at up to 80km/h. Freight traffic on the line resumed ahead of schedule in August 2022.
For detailed data on rail infrastructure projects, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
